SANTA MONICA : Man Given Probation in FEMA Quake Fraud

A homeless man who got federal temporary housing money by falsely claiming he lived in a quake-damaged Santa Monica apartment was placed on three years’ probation and ordered to repay the $2,300.

John W. Barrett, 57, who was sentenced Monday by a federal judge, is one of 27 Southern Californians who have been convicted of making false damage claims after the magnitude 6.8 Northridge earthquake on Jan. 17.

“If you knowingly receive government property that’s not yours and you convert it to your own use, you’ve committed a crime, the theft of government property,” said Assistant U.S. Atty. Nathan Hochman.

Barrett claimed on a Federal Emergency Management Agency relief form that he was living in the Charmont Apartments when the quake hit. He was actually sleeping in a friend’s car.

“I’ve been on the streets for 20 years,” said Barrett, explaining that he could not afford first and last months rent and security deposits required by landlords.

“After the quake I found out you could get on the HUD program right away if you were a quake victim. It wasn’t the fact I wanted to put in for the benefits--although, sure, I could use the benefits,” Barrett said.

As an earthquake “victim,” he said, “I knew I could get on the HUD program.”