The Police Chief of Lumberton has been charged with defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency and wire fraud and consequently has been suspended from his job with pay. He pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

Lumberton Police Chief Maurice Hammond faces eight charges of FEMA fraud for allegedly filing for assistance on a home he did not reside in. Hammond allegedly collected more than $19,000 in disaster aid in 2005 and 2006, according to court records.

The records, filed Nov. 6, 2008, state Hammond allegedly collected the money for a home damaged in Poplarville during Hurricane Katrina that he did not live in at the time.

Hammond was arrested Nov. 24, on the charges after a grand jury found reason to indict him. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and has been suspended from his position as Police Chief, with pay, according to news stories in the Hattiesburg American.