Kingwood Woman Indicted for Harvey Fraud and Threatening to Kill
Kingwood Woman Indicted for Harvey Fraud and Threatening to Kill
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Kingwood Woman Indicted for Harvey Fraud and Threatening to Kill Whiste-blower 
A Kingwood woman has been indicted on 20 federal charges tied to an alleged disaster-relief fraud scheme, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas. During the investigation, Poteet allegedly threatened to kill a whistle-blower in an attempt to silence them. She is also accused of assaulting a federal agent and trying to flee during an operation to seize her cell phone. Prosecutors say 56-year-old Sharai Poteet, of Kingwood, is accused of fraudulently securing a newly built $435,000 home in Houston through a HUD Hurricane Harvey recovery program by submitting loan applications that falsely claimed 11 household members. The home was reportedly the largest built through the program at the time. The indictment also alleges Poteet filed three additional fraudulent disaster-relief claims with FEMA for storms between 2021 and 2024.
If convicted, she faces up to 30 years for each wire fraud count, up to 20 years for each obstruction charge, eight additional years for assaulting an officer, and mandatory two-year sentences for each aggravated identity theft count. The investigation was conducted by the HUD Office of Inspector General. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Shalimar Addy is prosecuting the case. Authorities emphasize that an indictment is a formal accusation, and Poteet is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Solster and Bloom reactedIf convicted, she faces up to 30 years for each wire fraud count, up to 20 years for each obstruction charge, eight additional years for assaulting an officer, and mandatory two-year sentences for each aggravated identity theft count.