Khalia Douglas Pleads Guilty to Fraud After Filing Claim Over $500,000 Amid May Storm Victims Counting on FEMA Help

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — Several victims of the May 16 storm told Eyewitness News they are still waiting for the FEMA money they were promised.

A tree toppled the brick wall lining a man’s yard in northwest Harris County.

“I have a wall that’s torn out. I have holes in my roof,” said Ron Hale, a victim of the severe storms that hit southeast Texas in May.

Winds toppled a fence at Kyndra Snoddy’s home.

Snoddy and Hale both applied for and received $750 in aid from FEMA in May.

But two weeks into June, they say they still haven’t received the money.

SEE ALSO: If FEMA Assistance Doesn’t Arrive on Time, What Should You Do During Hurricane Season?

“I just called and called and called the FEMA hotline. They’re really no help,” Snoddy said.

FEMA told Eyewitness News that the Texas Department of Health and Human Services is handling the payments. A call and email to the agency went unreturned Friday.

Meanwhile, at least one woman had no trouble getting money from FEMA.

This week, Khalia Douglas pleaded guilty to filing eight fraudulent FEMA applications and a set of fraudulent PPP loan applications for herself and others.

The fraud totaled more than $500,000, although just over $350,000 was approved.

“People who game the system have a special place — the place at the bottom for those kinds of people,” Hale said.

Prosecutors say Douglas advertised what she was doing on Instagram and offered to do it for others for a fee.

“$100 upfront to process your application,” one message read.

A 2020 Department of Homeland Security audit found that FEMA lost $3 billion to potential fraud from 2003 to 2018. That’s $200 million per year.

SEE MORE: FEMA faces $1.3 billion budget shortfall due to devastating weather in Houston and across the U.S.

This comes as the agency projects a deficit of $6.2 billion.

“You’re taking away people who actually need help,” Hale said.

Snoddy said she needs help even more now than the day her fence came down. Shortly after the storm, she lost her job.

“I’m looking for work right now, but in the meantime, I really need some money to help me pay the rent. The rent is late,” Snoddy said.

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