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Customs Director Faces Charges in Detroit Flood Fraud Case

Courtroom hearings involving allegations of fraud linked to disaster assistance in Detroit.

News Summary

Serina Baker-Hill, director of the Customs and Border Protection agency’s automotive sector, is embroiled in a scandal involving wire fraud and FEMA assistance fraud following the August 2023 floods in Detroit. Accusations suggest she falsely claimed her home was unlivable to receive federal aid intended for disaster recovery. With ongoing investigations revealing deeper ties to her husband’s narcotics trafficking case, Baker-Hill could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Detroit Flood Fraud Case: Customs and Border Protection Director in Hot Water

Detroit is buzzing with a shocking development involving a high-ranking official from the Customs and Border Protection agency. Serina Baker-Hill, who serves as the director of the Center for Excellence and Expertise over Automotive and Aerospace Engineering, has found herself facing serious legal troubles. The charges? Defrauding FEMA and lying to federal agents, and it all stems from her dealings following the devastating floods that hit the city in August 2023.

The Flood and Its Aftermath

To give you some background, Michigan’s request for a federal disaster declaration was approved on February 9, 2024. This opened the floodgates—quite literally—for residents affected by the floods to apply for assistance. Baker-Hill didn’t take long to capitalize on this opportunity, as she filed for assistance just a month later, on March 14, 2024.

The Assistance Rangers Come Knocking

With FEMA’s inspector on the scene, Baker-Hill claimed her home was unlivable due to the flood damage. This led FEMA to provide her with a total of $6,315—$3,125 for home repairs and another $3,190 to cover two months of rent assistance. Sounds straightforward, right? Well, not so fast!

Unraveling the Truth

As the story begins to unfold, the FBI started digging a little deeper into Baker-Hill’s situation. This investigation surfaced during their scrutiny of her husband, Maurice Hill, who was in hot water for narcotics trafficking. What they unearthed was deeply troubling: Baker-Hill’s bank records revealed that not a single cent of the FEMA funds was directed to housing or utility costs. In fact, surveillance footage showed both Baker-Hill and her husband were actively living in their home even after they had received funds intended to cover rental expenses.

Digging Deeper: Utility and Phone Records

Even more incriminating evidence has surfaced thanks to utility records, which indicated no significant decrease in usage that would suggest the property was deserted. To make matters worse, intercepted phone conversations have revealed Baker-Hill and her husband discussing potential schemes to forge documents from an HVAC inspector—all aimed at squeezing more FEMA assistance out of the government. Wow, talk about a major scandal!

The Charges and Potential Consequences

Now, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty of the legal matters at hand. Baker-Hill has been charged with wire fraud, making false statements, and fraud in connection with major disaster assistance. If found guilty, she could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. That’s no small potatoes!

The Court Appearance

On March 12, 2025, she made her initial appearance in court, looking to explain her side of the story. Baker-Hill was released on a $10,000 unsecured bond, allowing her some freedom while the case unfolds. Meanwhile, the investigation does not end here; it is part of a larger drug conspiracy case involving her husband and six other individuals, all charged with drug-related offenses.

What’s Next for Baker-Hill?

Going forward, there are plenty of eyes on this unfolding drama in Detroit. With the potential for serious prison time looming, and the complications arising from her husband’s illicit activities, it’s a story that’s sure to capture the attention of law enforcement and the public alike.

As this case continues to develop, one thing is clear: the stakes are incredibly high for Serina Baker-Hill. In a city still recovering from devastation, this scandal adds another layer of intrigue to an already turbulent situation.