(BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss.) June 22 - Some people receiving FEMA assistance admitted to NBC 15 cameras thet they are getting a free ride and not looking for work. We asked one of the nation's top democrats, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, where your tax dollars are really going.
When NBC 15 News first met Gwenester Malone a month ago, she was receiving three catered meals a day, while housekeepers made sure her hotel room stayed clean. None of it was costing her a dime.
"Since the storm, I haven't had any energy or pep to go get a job," Malone said, "but when push comes to shove, I will."
That shove may not come until March 2009. Until then, taxpayers will be shelling out the money to pay for hundreds of FEMA families to receive free meals and a place to stay. Since January, the cost has totaled more than 4.6 million dollars. It's a concern we took to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.
When told that we had spoken with Katrina victims who say they are not looking for work because they don't have to, Pelosi said she thought that was an exception.
"You may have a couple of your anecdotes that you want to promote," Pelosi said. "Tens of thousands of people are being served by this."
We also spoke with Congressman Gene Taylor, who represents South Mississippi.
"So you show up 3 years after the fact, and you know of one of 2 people who abused the system?" was his reply to our questions.
We asked Taylor if it was up to Congress to hold FEMA accountable.
"Sure, FEMA is supposed to send a case worker out to every family, every month to find out what their circumstances are," Tayolor said.
NBC 15 did ask FEMA if we could follow a case worker, but our request was denied.
Both Pelosi and Taylor said they would take a look at NBC 15's reports on the FEMA spending. Meanwhile, Gwenester Malone along will hundreds of other will continue sleeping and eating at local hotels where taxpayers pick up the bill.
