A South Los Angeles man is expected to be sentenced Tuesday for fraudulently obtaining federal disaster-relief benefits by falsely claiming his property was damaged in the wildfires that struck the region in January 2025.
Jaime Arturo Carrillo, 48, pleaded guilty in April to one count of fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
On Jan. 13, 2025, Carrillo falsely stated to FEMA on an application for wildfire-relief benefits that he rented property in South Los Angeles — nearly 20 miles from the Palisades and Eaton fires — and had suffered personal property damage and a disruption in his utilities. Carrillo was not renting at the South Los Angeles residence.
As a result of his false statements, FEMA authorized Carrillo to receive transitional sheltering assistance. Using these benefits, Carrillo received free lodging for 13 nights at two Los Angeles County hotels, with a total cost of about $2,173. Carrillo also charged nearly $107 to the room paid for by FEMA at an El Segundo hotel for food and incidental costs, papers filed in Los Angeles federal court show.