Press Release
Clay County Woman Sentenced to Prison for Defrauding FEMA
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of West Virginia
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. – Rebecca F. Bragg, 37, was sentenced to one month in federal prison for fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits. Bragg will also serve a three year term of supervised release, seven months of which will be served on home confinement. She also paid $4,900 in restitution to FEMA.
According to court documents, in June 2016, at the time of a major flood, Bragg resided in a home in Procious, Clay County, that was owned by her husband’s parents. On June 26, 2016, Bragg applied to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for both personal and rental assistance for the Procious residence. As a result of her application for rental assistance, Bragg received $2,472 from FEMA. Initially FEMA deemed Bragg ineligible for home repair assistance because she had not proven she owned the home at the time of the flood. On July 20, 2016, through her previous employer, Bragg applied for and obtained home insurance for the Procious residence, wherein she falsely claimed she was the home owner. On August 9, 2016, from her previous employer’s office in Spencer, Roane County, Bragg faxed to FEMA the home insurance policy that listed her as the property owner. As a result of Bragg’s false statements and misrepresentations, she received $4,900.85 in home repair benefits from FEMA.
United States Attorney William S. Thompson made the announcement and commended the investigative efforts of the Department of Homeland Security - Office of Inspector General and the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Kathleen Robeson handled the prosecution.
United States District Judge Irene C. Berger imposed the sentence.
A copy of this press release is located on the website of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of West Virginia. Related court documents and information can be found on PACER by searching for Case No. 2:21-cr-00103.
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Updated October 29, 2021
Topic
Disaster Fraud
Component