Federal prosecutors said the defendants submitted false claims following the devastating January 2025 wildfire

Three people have been charged in a federal fraud investigation after allegedly pretending to live in homes destroyed by the Palisades Fire to obtain thousands of dollars in FEMA disaster relief funds, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced in late April.

Federal prosecutors said the defendants submitted false claims following the devastating January 2025 wildfire that swept through parts of the Pacific Palisades, destroying homes and prompting a federal emergency declaration.

One of the defendants, **Deanniah Hogan**, 32, of Compton, falsely claimed to be a renter at a home in Pacific Palisades, according to court documents. FEMA approved her application and issued approximately \$17,351 in aid, including personal property and displacement assistance. The real homeowner, who was living at the property and never rented it out, later reported the fraud to authorities. Hogan was arrested and released on \$10,000 bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for May 20 in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles.

**Delvonne Dashon Johnson**, 31, of East Hollywood, claimed to be the owner of another Palisades residence. Prosecutors say Johnson was issued roughly \$64,138 in federal assistance. But the actual owner, who had lived at the property since 2015, told authorities she had never heard of Johnson and had not rented out the home. She discovered the fraud only after FEMA rejected...

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