Another day, another government official accused of gaming the system while hardworking Americans foot the bill. This time, it’s Serina Baker-Hill, a director-level official within U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), who has been charged with allegedly defrauding FEMA and lying to federal investigators.
The case, announced by FBI Director Kash Patel, is part of a renewed crackdown on public corruption—something the previous FBI leadership seemed to conveniently ignore. In his statement, Patel made it clear that this is just the beginning: “Justice will be done.”
According to a federal criminal complaint unsealed Wednesday by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Baker-Hill, 55, allegedly falsely claimed FEMA assistance after devastating floods hit Detroit in August 2023. Michigan had been granted federal disaster relief, making residents eligible for financial aid—but apparently, Baker-Hill decided to take advantage of the system for personal gain.
Investigators say she claimed that her home was unlivable due to flood damage and secured FEMA funds for both home repairs and two months of rental assistance. Sounds legitimate, right? Well, not so fast.
Authorities reviewed bank records and video surveillance of her home, which allegedly showed that she and her husband never left the property after receiving the FEMA money. The funds, meant for rental expenses, were never used for rent, hotels, or utilities. On top of that, utility records show no significant drop in usage—meaning the home was clearly occupied the entire time.
And when confronted by FBI and CBP investigators? Baker-Hill denied everything, insisting she had done nothing wrong. Because, of course, she did.
At this stage, she has only been charged via complaint, meaning prosecutors will decide whether to pursue a felony indictment. If convicted, she could face serious prison time and massive fines for defrauding the federal government and lying to federal investigators.
But the bigger picture here? This is exactly why Americans are sick of Washington. The people who are supposed to be upholding the law are the same ones abusing their positions for personal gain.
The FBI, under Patel’s leadership, seems committed to cleaning house—something past administrations failed to do. If this is any indication, we might finally start seeing real accountability in federal agencies. Let’s hope this is just the beginning.
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