A Pennsylvania woman convicted of stealing $1.7 million in Federal Emergency Management Agency relief following Hurricane Ida has been sentenced to five years in federal prison, the Justice Department announced Wednesday, amid the Trump administration’s broader push to combat disaster aid fraud.
Jasmine Williams, 34, of Plymouth Meeting, pleaded guilty last year to 32 counts, including fraud tied to a major disaster declaration, 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 Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis told Fox News Digital exclusively.
“We are protecting taxpayer dollars and making sure disaster assistance goes to those who truly need it,” Bis said. “Anyone who tries to steal from survivors will be caught and held accountable.”
The FEMA assistance at the center of the case followed President Joe Biden’s September 2021 disaster declaration, issued after the remnants of Hurricane Ida battered large parts of eastern Pennsylvania.
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According to officials, Williams enlisted participants in the scheme — including renters, homeowners and people experiencing homelessness — and filed false FEMA applications on behalf of nearly 200 people. The submissions included fabricated leases, landlord letters, utility bills, earnings statements and home repair estimates.
Prosecutors said Williams found many of those participants through social media, where she advertised that she could help people apply for FEMA disaster benefits.
As part of the fraudulent operation, Williams demanded half of each payout for herself, ultimately collecting hundreds of thousands of dollars, authorities said.
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.
