Charges against two Brookhaven residents were among indictmentsannounced Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation intoalleged Hurricane Katrina-related fraud.

Charles Lyles was charged in a 14-count indictment with makingthree different false statements to the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency for hurricane relief benefits, according to astatement from U.S. Attorney Dunn Lampton’s office. Lyles, age andaddress unavailable, was also charged in alleged mail fraud schemesdesigned to defraud the federal agency of relief benefits and hotelaccommodations.

If convicted on all counts, Lyles faces up to 235 years inprison and $3.5 million in fines.

In another case, Latoya Miller, age and address alsounavailable, was charged in a four-count indictment with making afalse statement to obtain benefits and in an alleged mail fraudscheme to defraud FEMA. If convicted on all counts, she faces amaximum of 50 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

The indictments are the result of investigations by a localHurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force. The task force has been workingwith over 20 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies inan effort to prosecute individuals who filed false and fraudulentrelief claims.

“The number of Hurricane Katrina fraud investigations continueto significantly increase weekly,” Lampton said, “and the KatrinaFraud Task Force will continue with a zero tolerance policy for anyperson who has committed fraud in connection with the relief andrebuilding effort following Katrina.”