How did so many people mysteriously become rich after Hurricane Katrina?

Question

Many people in my family & my friend's family used to be SO unfortunate & poor before the storm. Now after the storm, they've become fortunate enough to own cars & computers, get breast implants, & just straight BALLIN'! I know they misused FEMA's money. But my friend got chewed out by FEMA for buying a bed to sleep in with her FEMA money. Like WTF?! Where else was she supposed to sleep after losing her home in a disaster...on the floor?

Answer 1

Oh I didn't know that happened. That is too bad because so many people lost so much. It should have been monitored more. I didn't know anyone got rich off of it. I thought everyone lost out.

A BED ! Of course she should have gotten a bed to sleep in. OMG - FEMA went too far to chastise your friend that way.

Answer 2

There were many people who took advantage of the situation. I witnessed Freud and mismanagement, of both FEMA, and Red Cross funds. My mother, who was born in Michigan, was given an extra 600 dollars because she was an immigrant. When she tried to return it she was rebuffed by FEMA , who apparently can not make a mistake. She still has the money in an account. I saw others use their money for new rims on their truck, new stereos, even a new drum set, (the old one was not flooded).
I on the other hand, was home with no power, no phone, and no work, for three weeks. I was not eligible, and got nothing. Nor did I need a handout. I was fully prepared, with money in the bank, plenty of food, and a very nice generator. My cell phone still worked, sometimes, and my bills were paid with a few calls.
If you live here, you had better prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

Answer 3

I got the money from FEMA- I used it to buy stuff for my apartment- I had to move away to finish college because my school had been damaged- I was on my final year. I did, in fact, finish though! :) I agree- I believe a lot of money was misused, mainly in New Orleans. They gave debit cards out over there- here (in Mississippi) we were given checks.

I agree with you- the people who actually got the most media coverage were given a lot of money- such as a guy interviewed by a news station in Alabama. There were donations set up for him...as sad as it was that he couldn't find his wife (whose body was later recovered- she was dead)- there were other people who had the same thing happen to them. However, since the reporters didn't happen to catch them- no major donations were sent their way.

Answer 4

Unfortunately, there have been widespread reports of FRAUD by people CLAIMING to be Katrina victims who AREN'T, and it's criminal. I hope your friend told FEMA off for their insensitive remark. FEMA is NOT our friend--they are EVIL. The truth about them will come out before too long.

Answer 5

for the record the debit card thngs where from red cross not fema, fema gave checks/direct deposit to my family but no where near enough to help. i agree people misused the money. when we first got the debit cards we went and bought clothes and stuff for our new apartment in GA and they told us a man was just in the store with one of the cards and he a bought a PS2 and a bunch of games. its a shame for people who really needed the money and used it for real reason. we ate off that card and fema checks. payed rent and bought gas. other people bought crap.

Answer 6

GIVE ME MY MONEY !


I NEVER GOT MY $2,000 ... FEMA CLAIMED SOMEONE ALREADY USED MY SSN !

and many other people