Long Beach Man Defrauded FEMA In LA Wildfires Scheme: DOJ

LONG BEACH, CA — A Long Beach man is among five people arrested on suspicion of filing fake federal disaster assistance claims in the wake of the devastating January wildfires in Los Angeles, federal prosecutors announced Friday.

Keandre Lowe, 21, is suspected of filing a false claim on Jan. 22 in connection with the Eaton Fire, according to the United States Attorney's Office.

Federal prosecutors say Hogan filed for assistance, claiming he was renting a home in the Altadena neighborhood that had been destroyed in the fire.

Given the devastation of the wildfires, then-President Joe Biden approved a major disaster declaration, which allowed the Federal Emergency Management Agency to develop a program to assist victims.

People affected by the disaster could qualify for a one-time payment of $750 in FEMA relief up to $43,600 for home repairs and another $43,600 for transportation or medical, according to prosecutors.

In Lowe's case, FEMA sent him $28,286 in disaster relief, according to federal prosecutors.

The actual owner of the home said Lowe was not renting from him and that the property had not been rented to anyone since 2007, prosecutors said.

Lowe, who has been charged with fraud in connection with major disaster or emergency benefits, made his initial appearance Thursday in Los Angeles court, prosecutors said.

Lowe is currently out on $10,000 bail, according to prosecutors. If convicted, he could be sentenced to a maximum of 30 years in federal prison, prosecutors said.