A federal task force says it has arrested 143 people for bribery, extortion and fraud related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
At least 1,000 investigations are ongoing in New Orleans, The Washington Times reported.
The Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force is investigating and prosecuting disaster-related federal crimes such as identity theft, procurement, insurance and charity fraud.
"Unfortunately, we see it with every disaster, but we're working very closely with the inspector general and Homeland Security and U.S. attorneys to prosecute every single case we come across," said Federal Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Nicol Andrews.
The Homeland Security Inspector General's office is reviewing an estimated 350 contracts worth nearly $5 billion, and investigating more than 300 possible criminal cases, which so far have netted 51 arrests, 67 indictments and five convictions, the newspaper said.
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