Gulfport Mayor Faces Federal Charges In Katrina Fraud

Hurricane Gulfport BREAKING NEWS Mayor Brent Warr and his wife are charged in a 16-count federal indictment for allegedly filing a false claim for disaster assistance after Hurricane Katrina. READ STATEMENT FROM THE MAYOR

by The Associated Press

Published: Wed, January 28, 2009 - 11:10 am CST Last Updated: Wed, January 28, 2009 - 12:37 pm CST

BREAKING NEWS

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - The mayor of Gulfport, an area hit hard by
Hurricane Katrina, has been charged along with his wife in a
16-count federal indictment related to an allegedly false claim for
disaster assistance.
Mayor Brent Warr issued a statement Wednesday saying the charges
have nothing to do with his role as mayor and he will continue to
run the city.
Warr and his wife, Laura, pleaded not guilty after a brief
hearing Wednesday in federal court.
Warr said in the prepared statement that the investigation has
been ongoing for a year and he hopes for a quick resolution.
The Warrs are charged with conspiring to defraud the federal
government, filing a false claim for disaster assistance and making
false statements to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, among
other things.

Statement issued by Mayor Brent Warr:

My fundamental mission as mayor, since Aug. 29, 2005, has been to return this city to greatness, and today Gulfport is absolutely on the right track to greatness.

Understand that what has been alleged toward my wife and me has no connection to me as mayor. This has not and will not change my commitment to the progress and recovery of our city.

This inquiry has been going on for more than a year now, and we hope and pray for a much faster resolution.

We have entered a plea of not guilty. Out of respect for the justice system and the government, I will not speak further about the claim made against us.

I am the mayor of Gulfport and I will continue working to rebuild our city.

We have hundreds of dedicated employees, department heads and directors, and everything we have achieved thus far is a result of their hard work and love for this city.

For Laura and me, personally, this is a difficult time, but I will continue the work as mayor. Please pray for my family and pray for the City of Gulfport.

Sincerely,
Mayor Brent Warr

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