Houston’s ‘Brick Lady’ convicted in $42K GoFundMe scam

Photo credit: Click2Houston

A Harris County jury has found 35-year-old Roda Osman guilty of theft after she raised over $42,000 through a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign.

Osman went viral in 2023 after claiming a man, Olan Douglas, threw a brick at her head when she refused to give him her phone number.

After two and a half hours of deliberation, the jury convicted Osman, and Judge Dan Simons sentenced her to 10 years of probation.

She must serve 90 days in jail, complete inpatient substance abuse treatment, and repay the full restitution amount of $42,302. She is also prohibited from using social media during her probation. A violation could lead to a 10-year prison term.

Investigators found that Osman used the donated funds for trips, dining, spas, and rideshares. Surveillance footage contradicted her claims, showing her slapping Douglas before he responded with a plastic water bottle—not a brick.

Douglas told KPRC 2 News he was “very happy” with the verdict, saying he had received death threats after Osman’s allegations went viral.

Prosecutors said Osman plans to appeal her conviction. Her 90-day jail term has begun, but a $50,000 appeal bond could suspend her probation if posted.

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