Hawaii duo charged with $60K FEMA Fraud for Lahaina and California Fires

HONOLULU – The grimy underbelly of Hawaii’s financial fraud was exposed as Daylyn Harris, 34, and Chelsea Johnson, 32, from Honolulu, were arraigned on July 15, 2025, for a wire fraud scheme that swindled over $60,000 in FEMA disaster relief.

The duo is accused of concocting a tale of tragedy after the Lahaina fires federal disaster in August and September 2023. Harris falsely claimed to have suffered losses from the fires, including housing and income. Johnson, posing as his landlord, lent a hand in the deceit. But their lies didn’t end there; Johnson also claimed to suffer through the California fires in January 2025, falsely stating she lost her home.

Both knew they were living a lie, yet they pocketed the hard-earned relief intended for those truly affected by the disasters. The charges against them are severe: if convicted of the seven-count indictment, they could face up to thirty years in federal prison and fines totaling $1 million per count.

The Acting United States Attorney Ken Sorenson stressed that the charges are merely accusations, with the defendants enjoying the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael F. Albanese is leading the prosecution, with support from the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General and the Honolulu Police Department.

“This case underscores the serious nature of financial fraud during times of disaster,” Sorenson commented. “We will not tolerate such crimes that rob relief funds from those in need.”

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