Rosemary Barbour to appeal Katrina-related penalties

JACKSON — Rosemary Ramirez Barbour plans to appeal more than $350,000 in penalties and damages she was ordered to pay after a judge said she defrauded the government on a Hurricane Katrina contract.

Barbour’s company, Alcatec, LLC, was awarded a contract after the 2005 hurricane to inspect and maintain Federal Emergency Management Agency trailers.

The FBI raided Alcatec’s office in 2007. The following year, Barbour filed a claim against FEMA, alleging the agency owed her money. FEMA filed a counter claim saying Barbour used fraudulent billing practices.

U.S. Court of Federal Claims Judge Christine Odell Cook Miller sided with FEMA and ordered the fine in August.

Barbour filed a notice of appeal Oct. 20.

Barbour is married to Charles Barbour, former Hinds County, Miss., supervisor and nephew of Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.