[JURIST] The US Department of Justice is adopting a zero tolerance policy for anyone attempting to fraudulently acquire aid money appropriated to the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Coast, US Attorney General Alberto Gonzales [official profile] said Thursday. Speaking to about 100 investigators [prepared remarks] from the Hurricane Katrina Fraud Task Force, Gonzales promised that every dollar directed to hurricane relief would be used to help those affected by Hurricane Katrina [JURIST news archive]. Gonzales also vowed to hold politicians accountable if they try to channel money into their own pockets or those of friends or constituents. The task force was established [JURIST report] in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita by the Department of Justice [official website; press release] to investigate and prosecute disaster-related crimes such as charity and insurance fraud, identity theft, and government benefit fraud. AFP has more.