Minn. woman pleads guilty to Katrina fraud

A woman pleaded guilty in federal court in St. Paul Tuesday to stealing federal money intended for victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Vianca McCarter received $34,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after claiming that she lived in New Orleans when the hurricane hit in August 2005. She told the government her home was damaged and that she needed emergency rental assistance. In fact, McCarter's true residence was in Minnesota, where she lived in subsidized housing from 2005 to 2009.

The 30-year-old McCarter, who now lives in Louisiana, faces up to 10 years in prison, as well as possible fines and forfeitures. She is required to make restitution to her victims, but the U.S. Attorney's Office says there's no agreement on the amount.

A sentencing date has yet to be scheduled.

Earlier this month, a North Oaks couple who fled Louisiana after Katrina admitted to stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars in Medicaid and Social Security money.