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Ahhh, Hurricane Relief!

Audit: Katrina, Rita victims used funds for erotica, guns, liquor

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Ahhh, Hurricane Relief!

FEBRUARY 14--Some victims of hurricanes Katrina and Rita used federal assistance money to pay for 'adult erotica,' a pistol, strip club fees, and at least one $450 tattoo, according to a new government audit. A Government Accountability Office review of weaknesses in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's distribution of aid describes some of the abuse connected with FEMA's dispensing of $2000 debit cards. While most of the February 13 GAO report addresses the use of multiple social security numbers to secure unwarranted handouts, auditors also examined where some of those funds were expended. An excerpt from the federal audit can be found below. (2 pages)