Noah Pozner
HARTFORD, Conn. — A New York City woman has been arrested by federal authorities who say she tried to scam donors by posing as a relative of one of the children killed at an elementary school in Newtown, Conn.
Thirty-seven-year-old Nouel Alba of the Bronx was arrested Thursday and charged with lying to FBI agents.
Federal prosecutors say Alba used her Facebook account, telephone calls and text messages to seek donations for what she called a "funeral fund" for 6-year-old Newtown victim Noah Pozner. Alba posed as Pozner's aunt and allegedly solicited donations in his memory, according to NBC.
"I never sent any message on Facebook," Alba told NBC before claiming that she refunded all the donation money she recieved.
When contacted by FBI agents investigating charity schemes related to the shooting at Sandy Hook Elemenatry School, Alba denied seeking donations.
Alba appeared Thursday in federal court in Hartford and was released on $50,000 bond. If she is convicted of lying to federal agents she faces a maximum term of five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.