Ramsey Man Accused Of $137K In Sandy Fraud Over Brick Home: State AG

TRENTON, NJ — A Ramey man has been charged with filing fraudulent applications for more than $250,000 in aid and loans related to damage to a Brick Township home from Superstorm Sandy, one of five people charged recently, state Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced.

Thomas Dooney, 65, of Ramsey, is accused of receiving $137,827 in relief funds by filing fraudulent applications for FEMA assistance and state grants under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP), the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program, and the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP). Dooney received approximately $9,825 from FEMA, a $10,000 RSP grant, approximately 103,002 in RREM grant funds, and approximately $15,000 in SHRAP funds, authorities said.

Dooney claimed a home he owns on Bower Drive in Brick was his primary home when Sandy hit; authorities allege his full-time home is in Ramsey and the Brick property is a seasonal home, according to Porrino's office.

In addition, Dooney also applied for and was approved for a $143,000 low-interest SBA loan; however he never closed on the loan or received any funds, authorities said.

Dooney is charged with second-degree theft by deception, second-degree attempted theft by deception, and fourth-degree unsworn falsification., Porrino's office said.

A total of 96 people have now been charged with filing fraudulent aid applications in the wake of Superstorm Sandy since March 2014, Porrino's office said.

Also charged were:

Edward Barlotta, 65, of Cape Coral, Fla., who is accused of receiving $171,099 in relief funds for a Long Branch home that authorities allege is a second home.

Walter G. Ribeiro, Jr., 63, of Deptford, who is accused of receiving $41,302 in aid while claiming a Ventnor home was his primary home; authorities allege it was a vacation home.

Linda Petersack-Kunz, 56, of Ewing, accused of receiving $17,743 in relief funds, a loan (since repaid) of $116,300 and a $10,000 RSP grant (also repaid) in connection with a Manahawkin home. Authorities allege the Manahawkin home was owned solely by her husband, whose primary home was in Florida, and her home was in Ewing.

Joan Galetta, 74, of Sayreville, accused of receiving $19,969 in relief funds in connection with a Seaside Park home; authorities allege it was a weekend/vacation home and that her primary home was in Sayreville.

Photo via N.J. Attorney General's Office