Orlando Man Sentenced To Three Years For Submitting False Claim For FEMA Benefits Related To Hurricane Irma

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton Jr. has sentenced Steven L. Rembert (48, Orange County) to three years in federal prison, to be followed by 3 years supervised release for filing a materially false statement in an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for disaster relief benefits.     

Rembert had pleaded guilty on December on December 21, 2020.   

According to court documents, in September 2017, Rembert falsified records concerning his primary residence when submitting an application for assistance to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Individuals and Households Program for Hurricane Irma.                                                                                                          

This case is part of the United States Attorney’s Disaster Fraud Task Force, which was announced in September 2017. This case was investigated by the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Terry B. Livanos.                                                                                         

Members of the public who suspect fraud, waste, abuse, or allegations of mismanagement involving disaster relief operations, or believe they have been the victim of fraud from a person or organization soliciting relief funds on behalf of disaster victims, should contact the National Disaster Fraud Hotline toll free at (866) 720-5721. A live operator 24 hours a day, 7 days a week staffs the telephone line. You can also fax information to the Center at (225) 334-4707, or email it to disaster@leo.gov. You may also visit www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl.