Federal Jury Finds North Fort Myers Man Guilty Of FEMA Fraud

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury today found Tommy N. Tracy (72, North Fort Myers) guilty of fraud in connection with a major disaster. Tracy faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for May 13, 2019.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on September 13, 2017, Tracy applied for Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) assistance for a residence located at 18301 Slater Road in North Fort Myers.  He claimed that this was his primary residence, that he was living there at the time of the disaster, and that he did not own a rental property affected by the disaster. In fact, the property on Slater Road was not his primary residence, he was not residing there at the time of the disaster, and it was a rental property owned by him. Tracy fraudulently received over $24,000 in disaster assistance, including an additional six months of shelter assistance from FEMA.       

This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General.  It is being prosecuted by Chief Assistant United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas and Assistant United States Attorney Trenton Reichling.