Police arrest 7, seek 15 on accusations of fraud

AIKEN - Seven people have been arrested and accused of defrauding Norfolk Southern Corp. and 15 others are wanted for similar charges, the Aiken County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday.

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Lynette J. Bell, 43, of the 500 block of Peggy Circle in Warrenville, was charged with two counts of obtaining property under false pretenses, while the following people were charged with one count of the same crime: Shanee N. Corbitt, of Aiken; Tracey Y. Forbes, 36, and Lana O. Green, 38, both of Vaucluse; Elizabeth A. Jones, 25, of Gloverville; Styron McKie, 29, of North Augusta; and Bobby R. Meyers Jr., 23, of Graniteville.

Police say the suspects changed their driver's licenses to obtain money from the railroad after an estimated 5,400 people were evacuated from in and around Graniteville because of the Jan. 6 train wreck and chlorine spill.

Officials say they used the falsified driver's licenses to get money from an assistance center set up by the railroad to pay evacuees for hotels, meals and lost wages, among other things, while they were displaced.

Officials with Norfolk Southern say the railroad has written more than 4,700 checks so far.

The sheriff's office has warrants for 15 other people wanted for obtaining property under false pretenses from the railroad.

Officials suspect that as many as 60 people perpetrated fraud, Lt. Michael Frank said.

Reach Josh Gelinas at (803) 648-1395, ext. 113, or josh.gelinas@augustachronicle.com.

--From the Friday, January 21, 2005 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle