Gambling commission got Katrina aid

JACKSON, Miss., July 17 (UPI) -- The Mississippi Gaming Commission received relief supplies initially intended for Hurricane Katrina victims, official documents indicate.

CNN reported that the commission, which regulates casinos in the state, is one of 11 state agencies that obtained supplies, including kitchen appliances, pillows and dinnerware, from Mississippi's surplus agency.

Mississippi Gaming Commission aide Becky Clark told reporters the agency was holding the supplies "in case of another hurricane."

The Mississippi Department of Corrections received 20 coffeemakers, pillows, 15 tents, men's underwear and other materials, the network reported.

Two years after Hurricane Katrina struck in 2005, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was still holding 121 truckloads of supplies intended for those affected by the disaster, a CNN probe found.

FEMA offered the supplies to agencies after saying they were surplus and cost too much to store.

CNN said supplies taken by 16 states were offered to state agencies, schools, cities and fire departments instead of being given to people with damaged homes.

The chairman of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee said he plans to conduct a hearing regarding the issue.