Joplin man admits lying about damage

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. -- A 31-year-old Joplin man has admitted lying about his residence to get federal disaster assistance after the May 2011 tornado.

Andy Eric Brownlee was indicted in December on a charge of fraudulently receiving about $2,700 in federal benefits. The U.S. attorney's office said he pleaded guilty Monday in federal court in Springfield.

Brownlee completed an application citing damage to his home May 26, 2011, four days after the tornado that destroyed thousands of homes and buildings in Joplin.

Brownlee admitted Monday that the address he used was actually that of the Lazarus Ministries Halfway house. Prosecutors said he had previously lived at the halfway house, but had moved out before the tornado.