Suspects Allegedly Filed False Disaster Claims Using Fake Addresses
Three people have been charged with defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency of more than $40,000 by falsely claiming residency in areas affected by the January 2025 Los Angeles County wildfires, prosecutors announced.
Jerry Lee Clay Jr., 42, of Los Angeles, faces one felony count of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument, one felony count of grand theft, and two felony counts of unauthorized use of personal identifying information. Prosecutors allege Clay submitted a fraudulent FEMA application in January and February 2025, using a Pacific Palisades address and a non-existent apartment number.
He is accused of impersonating landlords to verify fake tenancy claims and diverting $14,919.30 into his personal account for unrelated expenses. Arrested on Sept. 14 and arraigned two days later, Clay pleaded not guilty. Bail was set at $50,000, and he was released on bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 30 at the Foltz Criminal Justice Center. If convicted, he faces a state prison term of four years and four months.
Matthew Garnet O’Brien, 44, of Los Angeles, is charged with one felony count of offering a forged or false instrument and one felony count of grand theft. Authorities allege O’Brien stole $12,314.52 from FEMA in January and February 2025 after falsely claiming an Altadena address. He surrendered on Sept. 25 and was released on his own recognizance. Arraignment is set for Nov. 25, with a possible three-year prison sentence if convicted.
Maricka Marie Gilmore, 37, of Marrero, Louisiana, faces one felony count each of procuring and offering a false or forged instrument and grand theft. Prosecutors allege she claimed residency at a Pacific Palisades address that did not exist, securing $14,153.67 in February 2025 for non-disaster-related expenses. Gilmore was extradited to Los Angeles on Sept. 23 and is being held on $50,000 bail, with arraignment scheduled for Sept. 26. She faces up to three years in state prison if convicted.
The felony complaints were filed Aug. 21 and are being prosecuted by the Cyber Crime Division of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office. Investigations remain ongoing.
