Multiple news sources reported that a Honolulu man was sentenced to two years in federal prison for fraudulently claiming over $60,000 in FEMA disaster relief by falsely stating he was a victim of the 2023 Lahaina wildfire. The case highlights ongoing federal efforts to prosecute those who exploit disaster relief programs.
- Daylyn Harris, 35, of Honolulu, was sentenced to 24 months in prison followed by five years of supervised release on June 5, 2026
- Harris and co-defendant Chelsea Johnson conspired to defraud FEMA by submitting false claims for both Lahaina and Pacific Palisades wildfire disasters
- Harris falsely claimed he lived in Lahaina during the 2023 wildfire and suffered housing, income, and property losses, while Johnson posed as his Maui landlord
- The pair fraudulently obtained over $60,000 in federal disaster relief funds intended for actual wildfire victims
- Harris was also convicted of obstruction of justice for submitting fabricated flight records to the court after pleading guilty
- Harris must pay $60,458 in restitution to FEMA; Johnson was previously sentenced to four months in prison
- The original charges included conspiracy to commit wire fraud and multiple counts of disaster fraud spanning from September 2023 through January 2025 (Honolulu Star-Advertiser)
Sources
- Hawaii Free Press: Honolulu Man Sentenced for Lahaina Fire Fraud
- Honolulu Star-Advertiser: Man gets 2 years prison time for filing false FEMA claims
- Maui Now: Man sentenced to 2 years in prison for submitting fraudulent FEMA claims for Lahaina and California Wildfires
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