A New Jersey man will spend six months in the slammer after he and his wife admitted to stealing $152,820 in Superstorm Sandy relief funds, authorities announced Wednesday.
Carmine and his wife Lauri Fusco, both 50, admitted that they filed bogus applications for FEMA help and a state grant in the aftermath of the storm, New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said.
In their grant applications, the couple lied and said that their home in Point Pleasant had been destroyed. Turns out that was actually their vacation house and not their primary home, which is located in East Hanover.
They pocketed $2,280 from FEMA and $150,000 under the Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, Elevation and Mitigation Program.
More than 125 people have been charged with similar fraud related to Sandy and received more than $8 million in relief funds under false pretenses, Grewal said. Over $4 million has been recovered.
“These prosecutions send a clear message that we will not tolerate those who selfishly divert relief funds intended for those whose primary homes were destroyed or damaged,” Grewal said.
The Fuscos were ordered to pay the money back under their plea agreement. The state also recommended that Carmine be sentenced to 180 days in county jail and that Lauri be sentenced to probation.
Their sentencing is April 17.