Where did the Katrina money go?

[DesertFox]

It's hard for the average working stiff to contemplate a number as vast as the $23.5 billion the federal government has allocated to Mississippi for Katrina recovery.

Think of it this way:

It's enough money to buy two average-sized houses for each of the 65,000 families in Mississippi who lost their homes.

And, there would be enough left over to buy each family a brand-new Honda Accord to drive between their two $166,000 houses. That's the EX-L, V-6 four-door sedan Accord, with all the extras and navigation, not a base model.

It's enough to give each man, woman and child in the three southernmost counties $68,500 apiece. Or, to look at it another way, federal Katrina spending in Mississippi will cost each person in the United States about $94.

More (http://www.sunherald.com/411/story/128363.html)

[buzzthepug!]

*sigh*

I used to live in New Orleans. This is pathetic. Have these people no shame? The corruption in Louisiana is legendary. I can't believe people voted for Nagin again. He was such a hero during Katrina. His finger must have been very tired and weak from all that finger-pointing.

Katrina is a prime example why people should avoid being wards of the state. They simply haven't acquired the skills to be self-sufficient.

[DoctorDoom]

We know where some of it went.

Some audit findings

The audits included these findings:

• The $2,000 debit cards issued to hurricane evacuees for emergency supplies were often used for purchases unrelated to disaster aid, including: adult entertainment, gambling, a $450 tattoo, a .45-caliber handgun for $1,300 and a diamond engagement ring for $1,100.

• There was little or no verification of the names, addresses or Social Security numbers of applicants registering by phone or the Internet for the $2,000 in aid, resulting in thousands of checks issued to those with duplicate or bogus information.

• Duplicate payments were made to about 5,000 of the nearly 11,000 debit card recipients who received Katrina aid, first with debit cards and then again via electronic bank transfer.

• Although FEMA says it bought 114,341 trailers for $1.7 billion, discrepancies abound in FEMA's documentation of the number ordered, received and occupied, making it difficult to ascertain the exact units available or whether government-owned property was otherwise accounted for.

• FEMA may have bought too many temporary homes — 24,967 manufactured homes obtained for $857.8 million and 1,295 modular homes at $40 million — resulting in 10,777 such homes sitting empty in Hope, Ark., in sinking mud without proper storage. "It was unclear how the decision was made," the Homeland Security audit stated.Audits: Millions in Katrina aid wasted (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11326973/)

[Seabee]

I am from New Orleans and I stationed in Gulfport right now and the only thing I can say is that the corruption in New Orleans has infected Mississippi. Hell I was here for Katrina and I saw the destruction and I have also been privy to the ineptness of the state governments in MS. and LA. There is to much money for the bumbling, redneckian, swamp dwellers to know what to do with honestly. For Mississippi I dont know what to say, I know gambling isnt the answer. Ironically there is more hope for Louisiana, Blanco isnt running and Bobby Jundal will probably be the next Governor. If the latter comes to pass Louisiana will possibly have a chance. If Mississippi continually relies on gambling to rebuild the Gulf Coast it will be doomed.