No Safe Harbor for Disaster Fraud: North Carolina Woman Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding FEMA After Hurricane Helene

Anyone who defrauds American taxpayers will face the consequences

WASHINGTON -- Last week, a North Carolina woman was sentenced to three years in prison followed by four years of supervised release for defrauding FEMA following Hurricane Helene. She was also ordered to pay more than $30,000 in restitution for false claims.

"Those who steal disaster assistance from survivors will be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable. This woman's actions, including committing fraud while incarcerated, are a blatant betrayal of disaster survivors and American taxpayers," said FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton. "Funds intended to help North Carolina families rebuild after Hurricane Helene were instead stolen for personal gain. Every dollar taken through deception is a dollar unavailable to help communities recover. FEMA remains committed to reducing risks, building capabilities to detect and prevent fraud, and ensuring those who exploit federal disaster programs face serious consequences."

In February 2025, the woman filed an application for disaster assistance with FEMA for a dwelling she claimed was in Marion, North Carolina. She falsely claimed the residence was destroyed by Hurricane Helene in September 2024. In the application, the woman asserted she rented the property and that the damaged dwelling was her primary residence. Days later, she falsely amended her FEMA application's residential status from renter to owner of the damaged dwelling. The next day, she falsely represented to a FEMA inspector that she owned the residential trailer that was destroyed, but not the land where the trailer was placed.

In March 2025, the woman submitted a handwritten letter to FEMA attesting that the information she had provided was "true and correct", falsely claiming that she had purchased the dwelling for $8,500 and that she had lived there for 25 years. She also falsely attested that all her important personal documents "got washed away by Hurricane Helene." During that month, FEMA paid the woman's false claim and wired her more than $30,000.

Contrary to her claims, the woman never lived at, rented or owned a residence or structure at that location, and no dwelling existed at that location at the time the storm struck the area. At the time Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina, the woman was an inmate with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections and outside of the effects of the storm.

Under the leadership of President Trump, Vice President Vance and Secretary Mullin, FEMA continues to strengthen safeguards, support the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud and work closely with law enforcement partners to identify, investigate and prosecute those who defraud disaster assistance programs. FEMA remains committed to protecting taxpayer dollars and ensuring aid reaches the survivors who genuinely need it.

Taking funds meant for disaster survivors is a serious crime. In Fiscal Year 2025, FEMA investigated over 2,000 fraud cases. The agency refers suspected fraud in its Individual Assistance program to the DHS Office of Inspector General and other law enforcement partners for investigation and potential prosecution, including cases involving organized criminal activity. 

President Trump's Executive Order 14395 established the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, bringing together federal agencies to coordinate a national strategy to stop fraud, waste and abuse in federal benefit programs. FEMA is fully engaged in strengthening eligibility verification, enhancing pre-payment controls and ensuring disaster assistance is delivered quickly and securely to eligible survivors.