Former Bergen Man Bilked The Government Out Of $187,000 In Superstorm Sandy Aid: AG

A former Bergen County man was one of five people charged Thursday with filing a false application for Superstorm Sandy relief funds, authorities announced.

Nikola Lulaj, 42, a Seaside Heights resident, who used to live in Dumont, allegedly filed fraudulent applications for relief help under three state grant programs, a low-interest disaster-relief loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration, and assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, said Acting Attorney General Robert Lougy.

Lulaj received more than $187,000 in relief funds after falsely claiming his primary residence was in Seaside Heights rather than his Dumont home, Lougy said. About half the money, $90,200, came from the SBA loan.

Lulaj has since moved into the vacation and rental property, the attorney general said.

Lulaj was charged with theft by deception and unsworn falsification. He faces a maximum of 11 and a half years in state prison and $160,000 in fines if convicted.

Four others were also charged Thursday with filing fraudulent applications, Lougy said.

Since March 2014, the Attorney General’s Office has filed criminal charges against 62 for allegedly engaging in Superstorm Sandy relief fraud.

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Nikola Lulaj, 42 — Attorney General's Office