Montgomery County Woman Sentenced for $1.75M FEMA Fraud Scheme

A woman from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to five years in prison for her role in a large-scale fraud scheme that defrauded the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of nearly $1.75 million in disaster aid following Hurricane Ida. Jasmine Williams, 34, of Plymouth Meeting, received her sentence from U.S. District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge after pleading guilty to 32 federal charges linked to the scheme.

The fraud operation began after President Joseph R. Biden declared a major disaster for parts of eastern Pennsylvania in response to Hurricane Ida in 2021. This declaration allowed FEMA to distribute financial assistance to residents affected by the storm. According to court documents, Williams was charged in April 2024 with one count of fraud related to a major disaster declaration, 24 counts of wire fraud, and seven counts of mail fraud. She admitted guilt to all charges in September.

Williams exploited social media to recruit individuals, promising to help them secure FEMA benefits. Her targets included renters, homeowners, and even those experiencing homelessness. She submitted fraudulent applications on their behalf, utilizing fake leases, forged landlord letters, falsified utility bills, fabricated earnings statements, and fictitious home repair estimates. In exchange for her services, Williams demanded half of any FEMA payout.

The court found that Williams used intimidation tactics to ensure compliance from participants. She reportedly threatened individuals by posting their personal information online and releasing a lengthy social media video that publicly criticized them for refusing to pay her share.

Additionally, Williams solicited images of damaged properties online, which she then submitted to FEMA as evidence to support her fraudulent claims. Between October 2021 and March 2023, the court determined that FEMA disbursed $1,744,982.64 based on the false representations made by Williams.

The investigation into this case was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General, with assistance from FEMA Fraud Prevention and Investigations. The prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth Mandelbaum and S. Chandler Harris. U.S. Attorney David Metcalf described the case as a significant example of disaster fraud that exploits federal aid intended for storm victims.

The sentencing serves as a reminder of the serious consequences associated with fraud against federal disaster assistance programs, aimed at helping those in genuine need.