Authorities in Indianapolis have charged two local women with filing false claims in a scheme to collect money intended for
victims of the stage collapse prior to
Sugarland's Aug. 13 performance at the Indiana State
Fair, the
Indianapolis Star newspaper reports. Authorities say Stephanie Murry, 25, and Sandra Hurn, 38, sought to
collect money from the Indiana State Fair Remembrance Fund and the Indiana Tort Claim Fund. Neither woman is believed to have
attended the concert. Seven people died and more than 50 others were injured after high winds hit the midway area and caused
the stage scaffolding to collapse. Citing injuries sustained, Murry and Hurn submitted claims for total compensation of $22,500.
Hurn initially collected a $7,500 check from the remembrance fund, but Murry's claim was denied by the State Fair Commission.
Hurn was arrested on felony charges of forgery, perjury, theft and attempted theft. If convicted, she could receive a maximum
of 36 years in prison. If convicted of felony charges of forgery, perjury and attempted theft. Murry faces a maximum of 14
years in prison. "It is particularly troubling that individuals would attempt to illegally profit upon a tragedy such as the
State Fair stage collapse," Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry said Tuesday (Dec. 27). "We have zero tolerance for those
who wish to gain at the misfortune of others."
