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Five people arrested for allegedly defrauding FEMA after the LA fires
Flames from the Palisades Fire burns a home during a powerful windstorm on January 8, 2025 in the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles, California.
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Apu Gomes
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Five people have been arrested for allegedly making false FEMA claims related to the Palisades and Eaton fires for reaping tens of thousands of dollars in wildfire relief benefits, according to the Justice Department on Friday.
The five, including one resident of Arizona, are charged with fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. According to the DOJ, they had falsely claimed that their properties were damaged in the January wildfires, which destroyed thousands of properties and displaced a vast number of people.
One Los Angeles-based arrestee received nearly $65,000 in disaster relief for allegedly claiming that a property he purportedly owned was destroyed in the Palisades fire.
If convicted, the five could face up to 30 years in prison.
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In addition to the latest arrests, the DOJ also announced on Friday that one person previously arrested on similar charges pleaded guilty this week. Another plans to enter a plea of guilty in May.
Victims of the two January fires could obtain relief payment for housing, personal property damage and for other needs.
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