Somerset County Man Charged in Fraud of Superstorm Sandy Relief Funds: AG

NORTH PLAINFIELD, NJ — A North Plainfield man was among the five newest people to be charged criminally with filing fraudulent applications for federal relief funds related to Superstorm Sandy, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced.

Since March 2014, the Attorney General’s Office has filed criminal charges against 81 people for allegedly engaging in this type of fraud, including the five individuals charged Thursday.

Keith Bowden, 69, of North Plainfield, allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP), Porrino said.

As a result, Bowden received approximately $27,108 in relief funds. Bowden also applied for a grant from the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program but was deemed ineligible, and he applied for a loan from the SBA but withdrew his application before being approved for any loan, Porrino said.

Bowden allegedly falsely claimed in his applications that a home he owns on Ivy Lane in Lavallette, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his primary residence when Sandy struck.

In fact, it is alleged that the property in Lavallette was a rental/secondary property at the time and his primary residence was in North Plainfield, according to Porrino.

As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Bowden received $17,108 in FEMA home repair and rental assistance, and a $10,000 RSP grant. Bowden is charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

“We charge that these defendants stole from disaster relief programs and by extension from the victims who were hardest hit by the storm,” said Porrino. “We’ll continue to charge every cheat we identify who diverted funds from these recovery programs and from victims in need.”

The following defendants were also charged Jan. 26 by complaint-summons:

• Carmela Longo, 54, of Westerly, R.I., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy 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). As a result, she allegedly received approximately $191,314 in relief funds to which she was not entitled. Longo allegedly falsely claimed in her applications that a home she owns on North Cambridge Avenue in Ventnor, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy was her primary residence when Sandy struck. It is alleged that, in fact, her primary residence at the time of the storm was in West Greenwich, Rhode Island, and the Ventnor home was a summer/vacation home. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Longo received $19,209 from FEMA, a $10,000 RSP grant, RREM grant funds totaling approximately $149,831, and $12,274 in SHRAP funds. Longo is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Michael McCrone, 64, of Bayville, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program. As a result, he allegedly received approximately $72,163 in relief funds to which he was not entitled. McCrone allegedly falsely claimed in his applications that a home he owns on Rosewood Drive in Bayville, which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his primary residence when Sandy struck. In fact, his primary residence at the time allegedly was in Newtown, Pa., and the property in Bayville was a seasonal/vacation property. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, he received $2,270 from FEMA and was approved for $77,659 in RREM monies, out of which he ultimately received $69,893. McCrone is charged with second-degree attempted theft by deception, third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Keith Bowden, 69, of North Plainfield, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP). As a result, he received approximately $27,108 in relief funds. Bowden also applied for a grant from the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation (RREM) Program but was deemed ineligible, and he applied for a loan from the SBA but withdrew his application before being approved for any loan. Bowden allegedly falsely claimed in his applications that a home he owns on Ivy Lane in Lavallette, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his primary residence when Sandy struck. In fact, it is alleged that the property in Lavallette was a rental/secondary property at the time and his primary residence was in North Plainfield. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Bowden received $17,108 in FEMA home repair and rental assistance, and a $10,000 RSP grant. Bowden is charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Marcy Gendel, 65, of Verona, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP). As a result, she received $12,270 in relief funds. Gendel allegedly falsely claimed in her applications that a home she owns on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant Beach, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was her primary residence when Sandy struck. In fact, it is alleged that the property in Point Pleasant Beach was a rental property at the time and her primary residence was in Verona. As a result of the alleged fraudulent applications, Bowden received $2,270 in FEMA rental assistance and a $10,000 RSP grant. Gendel is charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

• Randolph Colson, 65, of Netcong, N.J., allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP). As a result, he received a $10,000 RSP grant. He withdrew his FEMA application prior to receiving any FEMA funds. Colson allegedly falsely claimed in his applications that a home he owns on East Church Street in Sea Bright, N.J., which was damaged by Superstorm Sandy, was his primary residence when Sandy struck. In fact, it is alleged that the property in Sea Bright was a summer/weekend home at the time. Colson is charged with third-degree theft by deception.

“Stealing any type of public aid is reprehensible, but it’s especially egregious to steal relief funds in the context of a historic disaster, when every dollar is needed for recovery,” said Director Elie Honig of the Division of Criminal Justice. “We’ll continue to pursue these prosecutions with our state and federal partners, so we can guard these funds and deter this type of criminal conduct in future emergencies.”

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

(Image via Attorney General: Keith Bowden, 69, of North Plainfield)

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