Former Tulane history professor faces fraud investigation in Minnesota

A North Oaks couple who moved here in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have wrongfully collected more than $430,000 in medical and disability benefits for their children since 2006, according to an affidavit filed in federal court.

James and Cynthia Hood have claimed those benefits -- meant for people with limited financial resources -- despite having a combined retirement portfolio of more than $1 million, more than a dozen bank accounts with a total of nearly $1 million in cash and two homes worth more than $1 million combined. Special Agent Jane Lewis, an investigator for the Social Security Administration, said in an affidavit that the Hoods' extensive assets would have made them ineligible for such aid.

The Hoods never told officials about their wealth, Lewis said. In fact, when Cynthia Hood applied for Medical Assistance and Social Security disability benefits in early 2006, she said she was the "sole legal guardian" of her three children and did not own any vehicles, stocks, bonds or property....

Investigators began examining their retirement portfolios, bank records and property records. James Hood, who worked as a history professor at Tulane from September 1970 to January 2008, had more than $1 million in his retirement portfolio as of Sept. 3, 2010....

Investigators began examining their retirement portfolios, bank records and property records. James Hood, who worked as a history professor at Tulane from September 1970 to January 2008, had more than $1 million in his retirement portfolio as of Sept. 3, 2010....