Los Angeles County Woman to Repay Nearly $25,000 to FEMA for Fraudulent Fire Disaster Claim

A Los Angeles County woman has been ordered to repay nearly $25,000 in disaster-relief funds she fraudulently obtained by falsely claiming her property was damaged in the Pacific Palisades wildfire.

Hedeshia Robertson, 36, of Lakewood, appeared in a downtown Los Angeles court Thursday where she was sentenced to time already served—just one day in custody—and ordered to return the illegally obtained Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) benefits.

The case highlights growing concerns about disaster relief fraud in California, a state increasingly vulnerable to devastating wildfires that trigger federal emergency declarations and subsequent aid programs.

Robertson pleaded guilty in May to one federal count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, she admitted to filing a fraudulent FEMA application on January 28, seeking disaster relief for a property in Pacific Palisades that she neither owned nor rented.

Investigators discovered Robertson’s scheme as she was attempting to expand her fraud operation. At the time of her arrest, she was in the process of applying for additional FEMA benefits based on another fabricated claim involving a purported property lease in San Francisco, prosecutors said.

The Eaton and Palisades fires that began on January 7 devastated Southern California, burning nearly 60,000 acres and destroying more than 16,000 structures. The wildfires resulted in 29 deaths and prompted then-President Joe Biden to approve a Major Disaster Declaration, which activated FEMA’s comprehensive financial assistance program for fire victims.

FEMA’s relief package offered several forms of assistance to legitimate victims, including immediate one-time payments of $750, housing assistance for up to 18 months, and up to $43,600 for “other needs” assistance. Homeowners affected by the fires could potentially receive an additional $43,600 specifically for home repairs.

Al Rossi, acting assistant special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations Los Angeles, expressed frustration about individuals who exploit disaster relief programs, noting that certain criminals view these benefits as “free money” rather than critical aid intended for genuine victims.

The Robertson case is part of a troubling pattern of disaster relief fraud that has emerged in recent years as climate change contributes to more frequent and severe natural disasters across California and the nation. Federal authorities have increasingly devoted resources to combat such fraud, which diverts critical funds from legitimate disaster victims and places additional strain on emergency response systems.

Disaster relief fraud has become a priority for federal prosecutors as climate-related emergencies become more common. The Department of Justice has established specialized task forces in disaster-prone regions to investigate and prosecute individuals who submit false claims for federal assistance.

Law enforcement officials emphasize that disaster fraud carries serious consequences, though Robertson’s one-day incarceration sentence may raise questions about the deterrent effect of such penalties. However, the financial restitution requirement ensures that taxpayer funds are returned to relief programs.

FEMA has also enhanced its verification processes in recent years, implementing additional checks to confirm property ownership or rental agreements before disbursing funds. These measures aim to prevent fraudulent claims while still providing timely assistance to genuine victims.

California’s wildfire season has grown increasingly destructive over the past decade, with climate scientists projecting this trend will continue. As federal disaster declarations become more frequent, authorities remain vigilant against those who would exploit tragedy for personal gain.