ACKSON — A ex- Federal Emergency Management Agency worker and her cousin have pleaded culpable to orchestrating one of the biggest Hurricane Katrina scams to become public since the 2005 storm.

Ex- FEMA employees Lashonda Booker, 35, along with her cousin, Peggy Hilton, 36, were charged January 8 with conspiracy to commit mail fraud in a scheme to filch $721,000 that was meant for storm victims.

U.S. Attorney Mr. Donald Burkhalter has said it is the biggest robbery of Hurricane Katrina money by individuals to be made public until now.

According to Sheila Wilbanks, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney’s office, they pleaded culpable Wed. 2 in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.

Sentencing is set for April 29. The 2 women face up to 20 years in prison also a $250,000 fine.