Jasmine Williams, 33, a resident of Montgomery County, was detained and accused of stealing more than $1.5 million in Hurricane Ida disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) during her arrest.
Williams faces 24 accusations of wire fraud, seven counts of mail fraud, and one count of fraud connected to a major disaster declaration, according to United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero.
FEMA provided financial assistance to impacted households when President Joe Biden declared a major disaster in September 2021 for portions of eastern Pennsylvania hit by Hurricane Ida.
According to the indictment, Williams recruited people via social media by allegedly offering help with FEMA aid applications. She then allegedly sent false paperwork, including fictitious leases, landlord letters, utility bills, income statements, and repair estimates, to FEMA on behalf of several other people.
Williams allegedly received half of the bogus payouts in exchange for her efforts. In the end, FEMA provided nearly $1.5 million in aid as a result of Williams’ fraudulent claims. Williams can receive a maximum sentence of 960 years in jail if found guilty.