iTeam Investigation: Arson for money scheme

Posted at: 11/20/2009 10:13 PM
By: Brett Davidsen | WHEC.com

They claimed to be victims of house fires and went to the Red Cross for help. Yet, federal authorities now say two people set the fires as part of an arson for money scheme.

When there’s a house fire in the City of Rochester and people are left with no place to stay, the American Red Cross is there to help.

But Lamar Donald and Jeanetta Johnson of Rochester are accused of doing the unthinkable – putting lives at risk in order to take advantage of the Red Cross.

Federal authorities say the couple set their own apartment on fire and then went to the relief agency for financial help.

The Red Cross is responding to the news that it was allegedly victimized:

“It’s surprising. I think there’s probably easier ways to find some money yourself,” says Leighton Jones, Director of Disaster and Emergency Services at the American Red Cross.

Last month, at 466 Driving Park Avenue, two people we believe to be Donald and Johnson, appeared at the scene shortly after firefighters were called to battle the apartment fire. It started in a couch and quickly spread.

Vincent Coffee lives in the house next door.

“Next thing I know, I hear a bunch of windows busting. The fire chief came and knocked on my door and told me I might have to be evacuated,” Coffee says.

According to an affidavit from an investigator with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Donald intentionally set the fire to fraudulently obtain money from the Red Cross and get new housing from the Department of Social Services.

The Red Cross did provide assistance: $780 in the form of an ATM card.

Coffee says, “I feel like that’s very selfish….There’s a lot of shady people out here coming up with funny ways to come up with money – scams and schemes and all kinds of stuff.”

The Red Cross also helped out financially after an apartment fire on Dewey Avenue last June. Donald is accused of setting that fire as well.

One firefighter was hurt putting the flames out.

The Red Cross says the alleged scam isn’t likely to change how it responds.

Jones says, “It’s a little difficult for us to change our way of assisting because we are there right at the moment of need and at that point in time, it’s a little difficult to know some of these other things.”
 
Red Cross officials also want to assure their donors that they do everything they can to make sure the people asking for assistance are legitimate people in need. Victims are required to fill out the appropriate paperwork and the information is verified before the funds are provided.

However, as you heard, it often takes weeks or months before all the details are known about how these fires are started.

For more Rochester, NY news, go to our website, www.whec.com.

 

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