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$1.5M FEMA Heist: Montgomery County Woman Charged with Hurricane Ida Disaster Relief Scam
PHILADELPHIA – A Montgomery County woman is facing a lengthy prison sentence after being charged with defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of over $1.5 million in disaster relief benefits following Hurricane Ida in 2021.
Jasmine Williams, 33, of Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, was arrested today after being charged by indictment with one count of fraud related to a major disaster declaration, 24 counts of wire fraud, and seven counts of mail fraud related to a scheme to defraud FEMA.
According to the indictment, in September 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued a major disaster declaration for much of the eastern part of Pennsylvania after the remnants of Hurricane Ida struck the Commonwealth. This declaration authorized FEMA to provide financial assistance to residents whose homes and properties were damaged by the hurricane.
Williams allegedly recruited others over social media, advertising that she could assist them in applying for FEMA benefits. She then submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA on behalf of dozens of others, including fake leases, letters from landlords, utility bills, earning statements, and home repair estimates. In exchange, Williams collected half of the payout for herself. In total, FEMA paid over $1,500,000 in assistance based on false representations made by Williams.
If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum possible sentence of 960 years of imprisonment. 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 and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Ruth Mandelbaum and S. Chandler Harris.
An indictment, information, or criminal complaint is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. The investigation into this case is ongoing, and the public is urged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it will be increasing its efforts to combat disaster relief scams in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Homeowners and renters who have been affected by the hurricane are advised to be cautious when seeking assistance and to only work with reputable organizations.
Key Facts
- State: Pennsylvania
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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