N.Y. Man Fraudulently Received $56K In Sandy Aid For Brick Home: AG

TRENTON, NJ -- A New York man has been charged with Superstorm Sandy fraud in connection with a property he owns in Brick Township, the state attorney general’s office said Thursday.

Christopher Carlino, 51, of Staten Island, is accused of fraudulently obtaining $56,248 by filing false applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance, a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP), and state assistance under the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP) funded by the New Jersey Department of Human Services, Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.

In addition, Carlino allegedly filed fraudulent applications for a grant from the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program and a low-interest loan from the SBA, but those applications were rejected, Hoffman’s office said.

Carlino claimed on all of the applications that a storm-damaged house he owns on Alcala Drive in Brick was his primary residence at the time Sandy hit, Hoffman’s office said. It is alleged that, in reality, Carlino’s primary residence was in Staten Island at the time of the storm.

Carlino received $31,900 from FEMA for rental assistance, repairs and other items. He received a $10,000 RSP grant and $14,348 for mortgage and utility payments through the SHRAP program, officials said. Carlino allegedly submitted a fraudulent lease and invoice to FEMA purporting to show that he was renting a home in Trenton as a result of being displaced by Sandy, officials said. He paid restitution of the FEMA funds and also has been repaying the RSP grant, they said.

Carlino is charged with second-degree attempted theft by deception, third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification, Hoffman’s office said.

Four other people were charged as well, bringing the total to 50 people who have been charged with fraud in connection with Superstorm Sandy assistance, Hoffman said.

“Lying to collect any form of public assistance is inexcusable, but it is especially egregious in the context of a major disaster like Superstorm Sandy, when all available funds are needed for those who were hardest hit and who legitimately qualify for aid,” Hoffman said. “These offenders also burden relief administrators, who must allocate time and resources to police this fraud, rather than focusing entirely on helping those most in need.”

Others charged Thursday by complaint-summons:

• Dennis Zawadzki, 63, of Clifton, allegedly fraudulently obtained a total of $174,051 by filing false applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. It is alleged that Zawadzki falsely claimed in the applications that a storm-damaged property that he owned on West Potomac Drive in Little Egg Harbor Township was his primary residence at the time Sandy hit. It is alleged that, in reality, Zawadzki’s primary residence was in Clifton and the property in Little Egg Harbor Township was a seasonal home. Zawadzki received $2,270 in FEMA relief funds. He also received a $10,000 RSP grant and a total of $161,781 from a grant under the RREM program. Zawadzki is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Juli Schaber, 58, of Colonia, allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance, state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program, and state assistance under the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP) funded by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. She received a total of $128,313 as a result of the alleged fraud. Schaber allegedly falsely claimed on the applications that a storm-damaged property she owns on Eisenhower Avenue in Ortley Beach was her primary residence at the time Sandy hit. It is alleged that, in fact, Schaber’s primary residence was in Edison at the time of the storm, and the property in Ortley Beach is a vacation home. Schaber received $31,900 from FEMA for rental assistance and personal property loss. She received a $10,000 RSP grant and $11,413 for replacement of household items through the SHRAP program. Schaber also received $75,000 in construction funds from a grant under the RREM program. She is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Daniela Cannizzo-Rybak, 36, of Little Falls allegedly fraudulently obtained a total of $111,630 by filing false applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance, state grants under theHomeowner Resettlement Program (RSP) and the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program, and state assistance under the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP) funded by the New Jersey Department of Human Services. Cannizzo-Rybak allegedly falsely claimed on the applications that a storm-damaged property she owns on East Navasink Drive in Little Egg Harbor Township was her primary residence at the time Sandy hit. It is alleged that, in actuality, her primary residence was an apartment in Garfield at the time of the storm, and the property in Little Egg Harbor Township was a summer residence. Cannizzo-Rybak received $23,329 from FEMA; $10,000 from an RSP grant; $63,301 from a grant under the RREM program; and $15,000 through the SHRAP program. She is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Nancy L. Fletcher, 54, of Ringwood allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP). She received a total of $32,759 as a result of the alleged fraud. Fletcher allegedly falsely claimed on the applications that a storm-damaged property she owned on Bayberry Road in Lavallette was her primary residence when Sandy hit. It is alleged that, in fact, her primary residence was in Ringwood, and the Lavallette property was a summer home. Fletcher received $22,759 in FEMA relief funds. She also received a $10,000 RSP grant. She is charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

“We’re working diligently with our state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure that every allegation of fraud involving these Sandy relief programs is thoroughly investigated,” said Elie Honig, director of the Division of Criminal Justice. “Our goal in these joint efforts is to recover the stolen funds and also to send a clear message that this type of fraud will be met with serious criminal charges, now and during any future disaster relief efforts.”

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of $10,000. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.