A Montgomery County woman is facing a whopping 960 years behind bars for allegedly swindling FEMA out of over $1.5 million in Hurricane Ida disaster benefits.
Jasmine Williams, 33, of Montgomery County, was charged with one count of fraud related to a major disaster declaration, 24 counts of wire fraud, and seven counts of mail fraud in connection with the scheme.
According to the indictment, Williams recruited victims through social media, promising to help them apply for FEMA benefits. She then submitted fake documents to the agency, including leases, letters from landlords, and home repair estimates, in exchange for a cut of the payout.
Prosecutors alleged that Williams collected half of the payout for herself, raking in over $750,000 in the process. The remaining $750,000 was allegedly paid out to her victims, who were left with nothing but debt and damaged properties.
The case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency – Fraud Prevention and Investigations.
The indictment serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of disaster-related fraud. As the nation continues to reel from the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, authorities are cracking down on those who seek to exploit the system for personal gain.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and Williams is presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, if convicted, she faces a maximum sentence of 960 years in prison.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth Mandelbaum and S. Chandler Harris.
An investigation into the scheme revealed that Williams submitted dozens of fake documents to FEMA, including:
• Fraudulent leases
• Letters from landlords
• Utility bills
• Earning statements
• Home repair estimates
The indictment details the scope of the scheme, which spanned multiple states and involved dozens of victims. It is unclear at this time how many victims were affected or how much money was paid out in total.
Related Federal Cases
- Arts & Crafts Fraud: Medicare Hit for $200K · Pennsylvania
- Finger-Painting Fraud: $200K Medicare Rip · Pennsylvania
- Art Fraud: $200K Medicare Scam · Pennsylvania
- Artful Dodge: Medicare Fraud Case Closed · Pennsylvania
- Philadelphia Man Faces 20-Year Sentence for Bank Heist · Pennsylvania
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News