Houston mother and son charged in $1M elder fraud scheme

A Houston woman is being accused of a fraud scheme in which she pretended to be a nurse caring for an elderly parent.

Regina Lynn Thomas aka Nikki Laday, 56, and her son, Isaiah Thomas, 36, were both charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and 67 counts of wire fraud by the U.S. Attorney’s office.

The indictment said Regina Thomas pretended to be a nurse and assisted a couple with caring for an elderly parent. The couple allowed her to live at their home while they were out of the country for work.

Regina Thomas told the couple that federal authorities wanted them in connection with a FEMA fraud case. The indictment details how the couple believed they were paying for the attorney’s services. However, the money was deposited into Isaiah Thomas’ account who shared the funds with his mother.

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Thomas was arrested last week and made her initial appearance before a judge who ordered her into custody pending a detention hearing today.

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If convicted, both face up to 20 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine for each count.