A West Virginia woman who once called Michelle Obama an “ape in heels” in an online post recently pleaded guilty to defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency out of more than $18,000. Pamela Taylor admitted last week to registering for FEMA disaster benefits for flood damage that did not affect her home. Catastrophic flooding near Taylor's home in June 2016 killed over 20 people, but did not reach Taylor's home and she was still living there when she applied for FEMA benefits, according to a Homeland Security investigation. “The flood was a natural disaster. Stealing from FEMA is a manmade disaster,” U.S. Attorney Mike Stuart said in a statement on Wednesday. Taylor now faces up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $500,000.
Taylor previously made headlines for a racist Facebook post in which she called former First Lady Michelle Obama an “ape in heels,” according to the Charlestown Gazette-Mail. Taylor made the post directly after President Trump was elected, writing: “It will be refreshing to have a classy, beautiful, dignified First Lady in the White House.” Taylor, who was a director of the non-profit Clay County Development Corp., was placed on leave following the post.
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