Iowa Woman Sentenced for Lying About 2008 Flood Damage

A 37-year-old Iowa woman has been sentenced to federal prison for lying about 2008 flood damage in Cedar Rapids.

Federal prosecutors say Emily Protsman on Wednesday was given 18 months behind bars and five years of supervised release once she leaves custody. Protsman also must pay more than $8,800 in restitution.

She’d pleaded guilty in October to one count of disaster benefits fraud. Protsman admitted that she submitted a false application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency on July 18, 2008. She reported that her Cedar Rapids home and personal property had been damaged by floodwaters. She later admitted that she’d didn’t live at the residence listed in her application and that her property hadn’t been damaged.