In the following press release the FBI in New Orleans announced that Ryant Price, age 46, a resident of Saint Rose, was charged today in an eight-count Superceding Indictment by a Federal Grand Jury for theft of government funds, wire fraud, mail fraud, and false states to the Louisiana Road Home Program in connection with his 2006 application for Louisiana Road Home Program and Federal Emergency Management Agency funds, announced U.S. Attorney Jim Letten.

According to the Superceding Indictment, prior to and during the time of Hurricane Katrina, PRICE resided in his primary residence on River Road in Saint Rose, Louisiana. It is alleged that in 2006, PRICE applied for funds from the Louisiana Road Home Program and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, claiming that a second home he owned, located in New Orleans, Louisiana, was his primary residence at the time of the storm. According to court documents, as a result of his applications, PRICE received approximately $105,000 in Louisiana Road Home Program funds to which he was not entitled. He also received $14, 858 in Federal Emergency Management Agency disaster assistance funds to which he was not entitled to.

If convicted on all counts, PRICE faces a maximum term of imprisonment of ninety (90) years, a fine of $1,000,000.00 and twenty- four (24) years of supervised release following any term of imprisonment.

U.S. Attorney Jim Letten reiterated that the indictment is merely a charge, and that the guilt of the defendant must be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. The case was investigated by the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U. S. Attorney Spiro G. Latsis.