By Chris Moore

chris.moore@panews.com

 

Hardin County Judge Wayne McDaniel said Thursday he saw “red flags” after speaking with a representative from the Texas Division of Emergency Management about Liberty Heights Community Center.

The group has been distributing applications for post Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey efforts to elevate and repair homes in Hardin, Jefferson and Orange counties.

McDaniel said he became skeptical of Liberty Heights’ efforts after Hardin County citizens contacted him with their concerns.

Citizens said Liberty Heights was “giving out applications and saying that they had money to rebuild homes,” McDaniel said. “I did a little research and came across some red flags. I did some more research, and came across more red flags.”

Liberty Heights CEO James McRae said this week the group is a “sub-applicant” with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and TDEM.

Liberty Heights also received a Memorandum of Understanding on Sept. 17 with Jefferson County government. Jefferson County Judge Jeff Branick said the MOU allowed the group to apply to TDEM for further funding, but nothing more.

FEMA spokesperson Lauren Hersh said the group has no affiliation with FEMA and should not use the FEMA name.

McDaniel said he contacted TDEM District Coordinator Carman Apple, who told him Liberty Heights has not received any money from TDEM nor did she foresee them receiving any money.

McDaniel said no one from Liberty Heights has contacted him to do work in Hardin County.

McDaniel posted a warning on Facebook Wednesday about Liberty Heights.

“They are misrepresenting themselves by stating they are backed by county judges and/or the South East Texas Regional Planning Commission, which is false,” McDaniel’s post reads. “They also say they are associated with FEMA and TDEM, but I’ve found that to be untrue as well, thus far.”

“People in these counties have gone through a lot,” McDaniel said. “They don’t need another disaster and I think this could be one.”

The Texas General Land Office released a statement Thursday.

“According to our best information, at this time, neither DPS/Texas Department of Emergency Management nor the Texas General Land Office have finalized any application or issued any funding to Liberty Heights Community Center for delivery of services,” the release read. “Be informed that Liberty Heights is working with several area churches to collect ‘applications’ or to have homeowners sign a Voluntary Participation Authorization Form to gather data.”

“People have to be careful,” McDaniel said. “I know people are still hurting and reach out to anyone they think can help. People need to be vetted though.”

Liberty Heights did not return calls for comment.