Woman who called Michelle Obama an ‘ape’ pleads guilty to defrauding FEMA of $18K

Pamela Taylor, a woman from the Clay County in Virginia, pleaded guilty to defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 2016.

Taylor first made headlines in November 2016 when she posted a controversial Facebook message discriminating former FLOTUS, Michelle Obama, and praising the current First Lady, Melania Trump.

In her message, Taylor pointed out that it was “refreshing” to have a “classy, beautiful, dignified” FLOTUS in the White House, referring to Trump, and that she was tired of seeing an “ape in heels,” referring to Obama.

Before that post became viral, she was a director of the Clay County Development Corporation. However, her contract was terminated soon later. Now, she made headlines again for a different incident.

PLEADED GUILTY TO DEFRAUDING FEMA

On February 12, Taylor revealed in court that she lied to FEMA and got more than $18,000 in disaster benefits soon after the historic flooding in Clay County, West Virginia, that took place in June 2016.

The floods were so severe that 23 people ended up dead. Taylor filed documents claiming that her primary residence was damaged during the disaster and that she had to stay in a rental property.

THE SCAM

An investigation later found that her house was not damaged as she was still living in it. In her plea agreement, Taylor agreed to pay restitution of the money she got ($18,149.04).

Apart from that, she could face up to 30 years behind bars and might be forced to pay $500,000. The sentence is expected to take place on May 30 this year. U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said in a statement that the flood was a natural disaster but that stealing from FEMA was “a manmade disaster.”

KEISHA WILLIAMS’ CASE

Unfortunately, Taylor is not the only person who committed such a crime. Keisha Williams, a 43-year-old electrical engineer with a law degree, pleaded guilty to 14 fraud-related charges on the trial that took place last fall after 20 people testified against her.

During the last four years, Williams deceived her victims by stating she had purchased a health care software “out of escrow in Austria” that would allow doctors to examine and talk with patients remotely. She claimed to need funds for taxes and fees on the product and received cash from over 50 people for her scheme.