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Hawaii Woman Sentenced to Federal Prison for Stealing Disaster Relief Funds
Honolulu, Hawaii – In a shocking case of disaster relief fund theft, Chelsea Johnson, 32, of Honolulu, was sentenced to four months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release with the first four months to be served as home confinement. The court also ordered her to pay $60,458 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
According to court records, Johnson conspired with her co-defendant, Daylyn Harris, to defraud FEMA by submitting false disaster relief claims tied to the Lahaina and Pacific Palisades wildfires. The claims included lost income, housing, and property, despite the fact that neither Johnson nor Harris lived in the disaster area or suffered those losses.
Harris, who is scheduled to be sentenced on May 4, 2026, falsely claimed that he resided in Lahaina during the Lahaina wildfires and suffered significant losses as a result. Johnson assisted in the fraud by posing as Harris’s Maui landlord and submitting false claims on his behalf.
Johnson also claimed to live in Pacific Palisades, California during the Pacific Palisades wildfires and submitted false claims for housing and other expenses. Together, Harris and Johnson received over $60,000 in disaster relief from FEMA intended for victims of the wildfires.
The investigation into the case was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese prosecuted the case, bringing Johnson to justice for her crimes.
Johnson’s sentence is a stark reminder of the consequences of defrauding disaster relief programs. These programs are in place to support those who have been affected by natural disasters, not to line the pockets of individuals who seek to exploit the system.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that Johnson and Harris’s actions have caused harm to those who genuinely need disaster relief. Their crimes serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
**Mandatory Facts:**
Defendant: Chelsea Johnson
Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud
City and State: Honolulu, Hawaii
Exact Date: Not specified
Sentence: Four months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release with the first four months to be served as home confinement
Dollar Amounts: $60,458 in restitution to FEMA
Key Facts
- State: Hawaii
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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