Crime & Safety

Petaluma Man Sentenced For Disaster Fraud In Tubbs Fire: Report

Prosecutors said Justin Daly, 41, spent the disaster aid he received by taking a family vacation to Disneyland.

PETALUMA, CA — A Petaluma man will spend nine months behind bars and have to pay back more than $27,000 in restitution for falsely claiming his home was destroyed in the 2017 Tubbs Fire.

According to court records, Justin Daly, 41, lied and said his home was one more than 5,600 structures claimed by the fire.

To make matters work, prosecutors said Daly spent the disaster aid he received by taking a family vacation to Disneyland and renting a room at a waterfront hotel in Bodega Bay.

Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Multiple news outlets reported that he ultimately pleaded guilty to disaster benefits fraud and making false statements to a government agency.

Daly's lawyer told the Bay Area News Group that he blamed the offense on an addiction to methamphetamine but said his client is turning his life around.

Find out what's happening in Petalumafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

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