3 people pretended to be Eaton and Palisades fire victims, stole money from FEMA, L.A. D.A. says

An aerial view of workers clearing a business (BELOW C) which burned in the Eaton Fire on July 07, 2025 in Altadena, California. Today is the six month anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires which claimed 30 lives and left more than 16,000 structures destroyed.
An aerial view of workers clearing a business (BELOW C) which burned in the Eaton Fire on July 07, 2025 in Altadena, California. Today is the six month anniversary of the Eaton and Palisades fires which claimed 30 lives and left more than 16,000 structures destroyed. Photo credit Mario Tama/Getty Images

Three people are charged with pretending to be victims of the Eaton and Palisades fires and stealing FEMA money.

Jerry Clay Jr., Matthew O’Brien, and Maricka Gilmore were charged, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office.

Clay Jr. and Gilmore are both accused of submitting forged documents saying they had residences in the Pacific Palisades that burned down when neither residence existed. Clay Jr. is accused of stealing $14,919.30, and Gilmore is accused of stealing $14,153.67.

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O’Brien is accused of stealing $12, 314.52 from FEMA after he falsely claimed he lived in Altadena.

Gilmore, who is from Louisiana, was extradited to L.A. on Sept. 23.

They each face several years in prison if convicted

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Mario Tama/Getty Images