Woman Sentenced for $1.7M FEMA Fraud Amid DHS Enforcement

WHO:

NY Post - Jasmine Williams, 34, of Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

Fox News - Assistant Attorney General Colin McDonald, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis, President Trump, Secretary Markwayne Mullin.

WHAT:

NY Post - Jasmine Williams was sentenced to five years in prison for stealing $1.7 million in FEMA funds.

Fox News - Williams pleaded guilty to 32 charges, including fraud related to a major disaster declaration, wire fraud, and mail fraud.

Fox News - Williams solicited participants in her scheme and submitted fraudulent documents to FEMA on behalf of almost 200 others.

Fox News - In fiscal year 2025, FEMA identified more than 1,700 fraud cases.

WHERE:

NY Post - Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.

Fox News - The fraud was related to FEMA funds intended for victims of Hurricane Ida, which affected the eastern portion of Pennsylvania.

WHEN:

Fox News - Williams pleaded guilty last year.

Fox News - A disaster declaration was issued by President Joe Biden in September 2021 after Hurricane Ida struck.

WHY:

Fox News - The Trump administration is focused on combating fraud and waste in disaster aid.

HOW:

Fox News - Williams recruited participants through social media, advertising her ability to assist in applying for FEMA benefits.

Fox News - She submitted fraudulent leases, letters from landlords, utility bills, earning statements, and home repair estimates to FEMA.

Fox News - Williams requested half of the payout for herself and posted personal information of individuals who did not pay her on social media.

(UPDATED July 23, 2026 04:05 UTC)

Jasmine Williams, a 34-year-old from Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to 32 charges, including fraud related to a major disaster declaration and wire fraud, for stealing $1.7 million in FEMA funds. Williams solicited nearly 200 participants in her scheme, submitting fraudulent documents to FEMA for aid intended for victims of Hurricane Ida, which struck in September 2021. The Trump administration continues to focus on combating fraud and waste in disaster aid, as FEMA identified over 1,700 fraud cases in fiscal year 2025.