PHOTOS: 9 more charged with Sandy-related fraud; total now 71
Updated 1 min ago
TRENTON, N.J. (WPVI) -- Nine more people have been charged in New Jersey with fraud related to Superstorm Sandy, bringing the total to 71 since 2014.
The latest round of charges was announced by the NJ Attorney General's office on Monday.
Many of the charges include fraudulent applications for assistance following Sandy.
One suspects, Jerry Gustoso II, 44, of Hoboken, is accused of receiving $213,000 in relief funds after allegedly claiming a home in Bayville was his primary residence. Investigators say, in fact, it was a vacation home.
"We charge that these defendants stole from disaster relief programs and by extension from the victims who were hardest hit by the storm," said Attorney General Christopher Porrino in a statement.
The other suspects are identified as:
Debra Reddick, 58, of Newark
Thomas Jamar Reddick, 34 of Newark (Debra Reddick's son)
Lateefah Reddick, 38, of East Orange (Debra Reddick's daughter)
Neima Jones, 32 of East Orange (Debra Reddick's niece)
Kevin Osborne, 55, of Newark (Debra Reddick's relative)
Michael J. Casey, 51, of Point Pleasant, N.J.
Judith McMahon, 47, of Manahawkin, N.J.
Sandipkumar Patel, 43, of Edison, N.J.
The Attorney General's Office says it investigates Sandy fraud in cooperation with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) and the Offices of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).