Fair Lawn Woman Allegedly Ran $177K Superstorm Sandy Scam

FAIR LAWN, NJ — A borough woman allegedly scammed the government out of more than $177,000 in Superstorm Sandy relief money she was not entitled to, authorities announced Friday.

Diane DiCosmo, 74, was charged with second-degree theft for allegedly claiming on applications for relief that her Lavallette home was her primary residence when Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey in October 2012, said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.

DiCosmo received more than $6,500 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and nearly $171,000 in state grants.

The state Attorney General's Office has charged 112 people with diverting more than $7 million in Sandy relief funds since March 2014.

“Any fraud against public assistance programs is deplorable, but these thefts were especially egregious because they diverted funds intended for victims left homeless by one of the most devastating storms in New Jersey history,” said Grewal. “We have recovered over $2 million through these prosecutions and we also have sent a strong message that should deter this type of fraud during future disaster relief efforts.”

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Photo: Diane DiCosmo, 74, of Fair Lawn (New Jersey Office of the Attorney General)