Following an eight-day trial, Tiffany Brown has been convicted of defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and a Georgia-based litigation funding company. The jury found Brown guilty of securing a nearly $156 million contract with FEMA under false pretenses to provide self-heating meals to Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Additionally, she fraudulently obtained $700,000 from the Litigation Funding Group of Georgia by falsely claiming a settlement with a logistics company.
"Brown resorted to extraordinary lengths to defraud FEMA during a critical period when individuals were in desperate need of food resources during the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Maria," stated Acting U.S. Attorney Richard S. Moultrie, Jr. He emphasized the commitment of his office and law enforcement partners to prosecute those exploiting natural disasters for fraudulent purposes.
DHS Inspector General Joseph V. Cuffari expressed continued support for prosecuting fraud targeting vulnerable populations: "We will continue to investigate and support the prosecution of fraudsters who target vulnerable populations for their own gains."
Sean Burke, Acting Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, remarked on Brown's actions: "Brown greedily deceived the federal government during a natural disaster to enrich herself." He assured that the FBI would pursue anyone attempting such deceitful acts against the government.
The charges stem from Brown's proposal submitted on September 28, 2017, where she misrepresented her company's capabilities to deliver self-heating meals required by FEMA. Her proposal claimed partnerships and delivery capacities that did not exist. Despite these false claims, FEMA awarded her company Tribute Contracting LLC a substantial contract on October 3, 2017.
However, Brown failed to fulfill her contractual obligations and delivered non-compliant meals instead. FEMA terminated its contract with Tribute on October 19, 2017 but had already paid $255,000 based on fraudulent invoices submitted by Brown.
Further deception occurred in March 2019 when Brown misled LFG about a supposed settlement with Total Quality Logistics (TQL). She fabricated documents and communications to secure financing based on this fictitious settlement.
Tiffany Brown is scheduled for sentencing on April 22, 2025. She was found guilty of multiple counts including major disaster fraud and wire fraud among others.
The investigation involved collaboration between several agencies including DHS Office of Inspector General and the FBI with assistance from FEMA’s Office of Chief Counsel. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alex R. Sistla and Jessica C. Morris are handling prosecution duties.
For more information contact U.S Attorney’s Public Affairs Office via email at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or phone at (404) 581-6016.