CHARLOTTE AMALIE — The owner of a Puerto Rico-based construction company who fraudulently obtained about $800,000 in disaster relief funds intended to help the territory rebuild after the 2017 hurricanes has been sentenced to 1.16 years in prison.
Juli Campbell of Florida was sentenced to 14 months in prison for fraud related to FEMA’s Sheltering and Temporary Essential Power (STEP) Program, U.S. Attorney Gretchen C.F. Shappert said.
Campbell, the owner of a Puerto Rico construction company, pleaded guilty to fraudulently obtaining disaster relief funds intended to help the territory rebuild following the 2017 hurricanes.
The STEP Program provides federal funds for essential repairs to homes damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria. According to the plea agreement previously filed in the case, Campbell operated Campbell Development, LLC, which was a subcontractor performing STEP-funded work in St. Croix.
Campbell executed a scheme whereby the company submitted fraudulent invoices and time sheets related to a STEP-funded subcontract, showing work not actually performed.
“Disaster relief funds are intended to aid Virgin Islanders who suffered during the hurricanes” said U.S. Attorney Shappert. “Individuals and contracting companies that fraudulently diverted these funds must be held to answer for their actions. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has made disaster fraud a priority and will continue to prosecute individuals and companies that violate federal law.”
As part of her sentence, Campbell was also ordered to pay $179,033 in restitution.
“The DHS OIG takes any and all allegations of fraudulent activity seriously and intends to hold accountable those who try to use natural disasters such as Hurricane Maria to take advantage of others,” said Special Agent in Charge Jay H. Donly of the DHS-OIG Miami Field Office. “The DHS OIG will continue to use its investigative resources to stop those who use these circumstances for personal and illegal gain.”
At least 2,776 people have read this article on the Virgin Islands Free Press’ Facebook platform since it was published on January 18.
This case is being investigated by the Department of Homeland Security – Office of the Inspector General (OIG) as well as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nathan Brooks.