A Texas woman has been sentenced to nearly two years in federal prison after fraudulently obtaining more than $82,000 in federal disaster relief and unemployment benefits by falsely claiming she was affected by the Eaton Fire in California and the COVID-19 pandemic, federal officials announced.
Joyce Turner, 56, of Rosharon, Texas, was sentenced on June 17 to 21 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald. The judge also ordered her to pay $82,555 in restitution.
Turner pleaded guilty in September 2025 to one count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits and one count of mail fraud.
False Eaton Fire Claim Netted More Than $28,000
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, Turner submitted a fraudulent application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on January 10, 2025, just days after the Eaton Fire ignited in Los Angeles County.
The wildfire, which began on January 7, 2025, killed 18 people, destroyed more than 10,000 structures, and prompted a presidential disaster declaration, making federal assistance available to eligible victims.
Prosecutors said Turner falsely claimed she lived in a Pasadena rental property that had been damaged by the fire. In reality, she lived in Texas and did not qualify for disaster assistance.
Based on the fraudulent application, FEMA issued Turner $28,195 in wildfire disaster relief funds.
Fraudulent COVID-19 Benefits
Authorities said Turner also admitted to submitting a false California unemployment insurance claim in August 2020.
According to prosecutors, she falsely claimed she had been employed in California and lost work because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a result of the fraudulent application, California’s Employment Development Department issued Turner $54,360 in unemployment benefits through a debit card mailed to a Los Angeles address.
Officials Vow To Protect Disaster Relief Funds
Federal officials said the case underscores ongoing efforts to prevent fraud involving taxpayer-funded disaster assistance programs.
“Anyone who steals from American taxpayers will be held accountable,” Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in a statement released by FEMA. “We are protecting taxpayer dollars and making sure disaster assistance goes to those who truly need it. Anyone who tries to steal from survivors will be caught and held accountable.”
The Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kerry L. Quinn of the Major Frauds Section prosecuted it.
Fraud Prevention Efforts Continue
FEMA said it investigated more than 1,700 fraud cases during fiscal year 2025 and continues to work with the Department of Justice, the Department of Homeland Security, and other federal and local partners to investigate fraud involving disaster assistance.
The agency said it is strengthening eligibility verification and pre-payment controls to help ensure disaster assistance reaches eligible survivors while preventing fraud.
Federal officials also noted that the Department of Justice’s National Fraud Enforcement Division, announced in April, supports the Trump administration’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which coordinates efforts to combat fraud, waste ,and abuse in federal benefit programs.
FEMA encourages anyone who suspects disaster assistance fraud to report it to the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General or FEMA’s Fraud Investigations and Inspections Division.
