Superstorm Sandy Scam Artist Ordered to Pay Judgment

The New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs has obtained a $46,384.20 final judgment against William Loiry, a Florida resident, for making false promises and misrepresentation in the wake of Superstorm Sandy in 2012.

Loiry concocted a scheme to swindle money from those affected by the storm and those in need, by creating a fake business, making false promises and misrepresentations to promote a “Superstorm Sandy Reconstruction Summit”, according to a news release from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. The fake summit was supposed to have taken place in Trenton on December 17, 2012.

Those who wished to attend the summit were required to pay registration fees between $175 and $275, and $1,000 for corporate entities to sponsor the event. Under the final judgment, Loiry has been ordered to pay $46,384.20, of which $12,500 represents restitution for the “Superstorm Sandy Reconstruction Summit” registration and/or sponsorship fees paid by approximately 55 New Jersey consumers, the attorney general’s office said.

Loiry, of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, launched his scheme to bilk money from those in need on Oct. 29, 2012 -- the very same day in which Superstorm Sandy touched down in New Jersey. He registered a website at www.sandyreconstruction.org on Oct. 29, 2012.

The website solicited the registration and sponsorship fees, and featured the Seal of the President of the United States, as well as a quote from President Barack Obama stating, “We are going to be here until the rebuilding is complete”, the attorney general’s office said. Loiry’s website promoted the summit as an “all-day regional and national conference” where attendees would get “the latest information … from top leaders” and solicited attendance by sending out 70,000 emails.

The Division of Consumer Affairs conducted an investigation revealing that no government officials planned to attend or speak at the event, despite promises by Loiry’s website, the news release said.

The Final Judgment and Order against Loiry requires him to pay $46,384.20, of which $12,500 as consumer restitution for the registration and/or sponsorship fees. The remainder of the order breaks down as: $10,000 represents civil penalties and $23,884.20 will reimburse the State’s attorneys’ fees and investigative costs.