A social media influencer who pleaded guilty to fraud charges this week has seen an unexpected surge in business on the celebrity video platform Cameo, receiving more than 20 new requests within hours of her court appearance.
Ash Trevino entered a guilty plea to welfare and healthcare fraud charges and avoided incarceration as part of a plea agreement. The influencer was sentenced to two years of community supervision, 120 hours of community service, participation in an anti-theft program, and financial counseling, according to TMZ.com.
The court ordered Trevino to pay $16,799.95 in restitution to the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Beginning in September, she will make monthly payments of $780 to satisfy the restitution obligation.
Trevino has apparently begun generating revenue to meet those financial obligations through her Cameo account, where users can purchase personalized video messages from public figures. The influencer has reduced her standard rate from $138 to more than $50 per video request.
The discounted pricing appears to have attracted customers, with Friday alone bringing more than 20 new orders for personalized videos. The timing suggests some followers may view the reduced rate as an opportunity to obtain content from the controversial figure at a lower price point.
The fraud case centered on allegations that Trevino improperly obtained welfare and healthcare benefits. By accepting the plea agreement, she avoided potential jail time while agreeing to the supervision terms and restitution payments that will extend into the coming years.
The community supervision period will last two years, during which Trevino must comply with court-ordered programs and complete her community service hours. The financial counseling requirement suggests the court aims to address underlying issues that may have contributed to the fraudulent activity.