HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - A Honolulu woman was sentenced Thursday to federal prison for stealing disaster relief funds intended for wildfire victims.
Chelsea Johnson, 32, was sentenced to four months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.
She was also ordered to pay $60,458 in restitution to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Johnson previously pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
According to court records, Johnson and co-defendant Daylyn Harris submitted false disaster relief claims tied to the Lahaina and Pacific Palisades wildfires. Prosecutors said the pair claimed lost income, housing and property despite not living in the affected areas or suffering losses.
Officials said Harris falsely claimed he lived in Lahaina during the Maui wildfires and lost housing and income. Johnson assisted by posing as Harris’ Maui landlord.
Prosecutors said Johnson also submitted her own false claim, alleging she lived in Pacific Palisades, California, and lost housing and incurred expenses during wildfires there.
Together, the pair received more than $60,000 in FEMA disaster relief funds intended for legitimate victims.
Harris has also pleaded guilty and is scheduled to be sentenced May 4, 2026.
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