A high-ranking official with U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Detroit has come under serious scrutiny following allegations of deceptive conduct involving federal relief funds.
The Blaze reported that Serina Baker-Hill, an established employee at CBP, has been accused of defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency after claiming rental assistance while continuing to reside in her own home.
In August 2023, severe flooding in Detroit led the state of Michigan to request assistance from FEMA. This move allowed eligible residents, including Baker-Hill, to apply for financial aid to help with emergency home repairs and temporary housing.
As the director of the Center for Excellence and Expertise over Automotive and Aerospace at CBP, Baker-Hill was involved in the event both as a resident impacted and a federal employee of note. A FEMA inspector confirmed she suffered basement flooding, granting her an initial sum for home repairs.
Following this, Baker-Hill sought additional funds, maintaining that her home had become uninhabitable. FEMA approved her claim, providing over $3,000 for rental support for two months. This brought the total relief amount to $6,315.
Despite the claims about her living situation, an investigation, including FBI surveillance, revealed Baker-Hill and her husband continued residing in their home. Evidence collected showed no trace of the couple having moved out or incurred any rental or hotel charges with the aid provided.
Utility records further supported this, with no significant changes in usage indicating vacated premises.
Meanwhile, bank transactions reflected no outlays for temporary lodgings, highlighting discrepancies in the rental assistance claim.
Federal agents discovered another critical layer to the case through intercepted phone calls. During one conversation, Baker-Hill and her husband allegedly schemed to create a fake HVAC document, aiming to extend their deceptive interactions with FEMA.
Meanwhile, Baker-Hill maintained her innocence when confronted by federal authorities, insisting she had never engaged in unlawful actions or misled the government. The Department of Justice later published this assertion as part of their release on the matter.
The charges she now faces concerning defrauding FEMA and lying to investigators come amidst heightened sensitivity to fraud, particularly given her role within a federal agency.
Her situation stands out, not due to the amount involved, which remains modest compared to larger instances of government misuse, but due to her position.
FBI Director Kash Patel highlighted the significance of these charges as a reflection of the institution’s stance against public sector corruption. The emphasis is on upholding accountability, especially when it involves federal employees.
Baker-Hill’s case emerges against a backdrop of efforts to ensure integrity within government ranks. While public attention to larger fraud schemes continues, this incident invites reflection on individual responsibility and the broader implications of misconduct.
