EXCLUSIVE: Woman who stole $1.7M meant for hurricane victims gets prison time as DHS cracks down on FEMA fraud
FIRST ON FOX: A Pennsylvania woman who defrauded the federal government out of $1.7 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funds in the wake of Hurricane Ida was sentenced to five years in prison, the Justice Department said Wednesday as the Trump administration continues its effort to crack down on fraud.
Jasmine Williams, 34, of Plymouth Meeting, pleaded guilty last year to 32 charges ranging from fraud related to a major disaster declaration to wire fraud and mail fraud.
"Under the leadership of President [Donald] Trump and Secretary [Markwayne] Mullin, FEMA is rooting out fraud in disaster aid," Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis exclusively told Fox News Digital.
"We are protecting taxpayer dollars and making sure disaster assistance goes to those who truly need it," Bis continued. "Anyone who tries to steal from survivors will be caught and held accountable."
President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration in September 2021 after the remnants of Hurricane Ida struck much of the eastern portion of the state.
Officials said Williams solicited participants in her scheme — renters, homeowners or the homeless — and submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA on behalf of almost 200 others, including fraudulent leases, letters from landlords, utility bills, earning statements and home repair estimates.
She recruited the participants over social media, advertising that she could assist them in applying for FEMA benefits, prosecutors said.
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As part of the fraud, she requested half of the payout for herself, amassing hundreds of thousands of dollars.
When one person involved in the scheme didn’t pay her, Williams posted that person's personal information on social media, officials said.
She also posted a video criticizing the person for not paying the 50% Williams charged.
Williams additionally used social media to solicit images of damaged homes to submit in support of her fraudulent applications, federal prosecutors said.
In fiscal year 2025, FEMA identified more than 1,700 fraud cases.