CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Yeager Airport officials say some of those who received airport assistance in the wake of the landslide at the end of the runway may not have been on the level. The Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department is looking into allegations of fraud among some of those who received aid from the airport the night the hillside collapsed onto Keystone Drive.
“We gave out spending money and put several people up in hotels,” said Airport Spokesman Mike Plante. “There have been allegations some folks who didn’t live in the community received those benefits.”
Plante added there are allegations of damages and items stolen from some of the hotel rooms which were hastily arrange the night of the slide.
“Things happened very quickly that night when the water was coming up and we had to evacuate,” said Plante. “Folks gave us their names and addresses and other information, but our primary focus was making sure everybody had a place to stay that night.”
Airport officials learned of the fraud allegations from the hotel owners and some of the legitimate Keystone Drive home owners. The matter was immediately turned over to the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department of further investigation. Plante said the number of violators was fewer than five people.