Woman Who Called Michelle Obama “An Ape in Heels” Convicted for Embezzling $18,000 in FEMA Funds

Pamela Taylor is infamous across the country for calling former First Lady Michelle Obama an

“ape in heels.”

Taylor wrote on Facebook,

“It will be so refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady back in the White House. I’m tired of seeing an ape in heels.”

She lost her job for that remark. Now she now has a new claim to infamy. She was just convicted of making multiple false statements to FEMA and embezzling funds.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency created a fund for the victims of severe floods that killed 23 people and destroyed hundreds of homes along West Virginia’s Elk River in June 2016.

Taylor, was working as director of the Clay County Development Corporation, and signed up for FEMA funds, although her home was not affected by the flood. She said her house had been damaged and she was forced to live in a condo while it was being renovated. Both untrue but FEMA gave her $18,000.

U.S. District Judge Irene C. Berger sentenced Taylor to 10 months in prison and two months of house arrest for the crimes, in addition to the $10,000 fine given to her.

US Attorney Mike Stuart in a statement,

“There’s no such thing as a little bit of FEMA fraud. Taylor’s fraudulent scheme took FEMA dollars away from those who needed it the most.
Federal disaster benefits are critical to rebuilding infrastructure, homes and lives – not for lining the pockets of individuals who suffered no loss. Any party that abused their position of authority, violated the public trust, or misused taxpayer dollars will be held accountable.”

Special Agent in Charge Mark Tasky said,

“Defrauding federal programs is always an egregious act. Disaster relief fraud is even more serious because of the limited nature of the funds intended to assist Americans in their time of greatest need.
DHS-OIG is pleased to…show the good people of West Virginia that justice has been served upon Taylor, who knowingly and willfully disregarded federal laws to personally enrich herself at a time when many people affected by this disaster were just trying to survive.”