Alabama Trio Sentenced in $3M Gulf Oil Spill Scheme

A federal judge in Birmingham, Alabama has sentenced three family members to prison for trying to steal more than $3 million from the claims fund established by BP after the Gulf oil spill.

U.S. District Judge Sharon Lovelace Blackburn ordered a sentence of 12 years and one month for Marcella Truss. Her husband, Martee Davis, got 13 years and three months. His brother, Howard Lenard Carroway of Mobile, got an eight-year sentence. Truss and her husband lived in Grand Bay and Birmingham during the case. They were order to pay back $1.9 million in claims that were paid.

A federal court jury convicted the three of conspiracy, aggravated identity theft and other charges.

U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance said Monday more than 50 fraudulent claims were filed using 37 names.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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