Total of people charged with Sandy Fraud in New Jersey rises to 96 since 2014

Five more people are being charged with allegedly filing fraudulent applications to get federal sandy relief funds, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's office.

Edward Barlotta of Florida, Thomas Dooney, Walter Ribeiro Jr., Joan Galetta and Linda Petersack-Kunz of New Jersey are among the 96-people charged with Sandy fraud since March of 2014 and may face hefty prison time if convicted.

1. Barlotta, 65, of Cape Coral, Florida allegedly filed fraudulent applications following 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).

Through this effort, he allegedly collected about $171,099.00 in Sandy relief funds that he wasn't entitled to by claiming that a seasonal Long Branch home he owns on Beach Avenue that was damaged by Sandy, was his primary home...but it was really in Florida.

After allegedly filing the fraudulent applications, he received $2,270.00 from FEMA, a $10,000.00 RSP grant, RREM grant funds totaling $150,000.00 and approximately $8,829.00 in SHRAP funds.

Barlotta is charged with second-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

2. Dooney, 65, of Ramsey, New Jersey 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).

Through this effort, he allegedly collected about $137,827.00 in relief funds that he wasn't entitled to by claiming in his applications the seasonal/weekend Brick Township home he owns on Bower Drive was his primary residence when Sandy hit, when it was actually in Ramsey.

He also applied for a low-interest SBA loan and was approved for a loan of $143,000, but he never closed on the loan or received any funds.

After allegedly filing the fraudulent applications, he received approximately $9,825.00 from FEMA, a $10,000.00 RSP grant, approximately 103,002.00 in RREM grant funds, and approximately $15,000.00 in SHRAP funds.

Dooney is charged with second-degree theft by deception, second-degree attempted theft by deception, and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

3. Ribeiro, Jr., 63, of Deptford, New Jersey allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP).

Through this effort, he allegedly collected about $41,302 in relief funds that he wasn't entitled to by claiming in his applications the vacation Ventnor home he owns on Calvert Street was his primary residence when Sandy hit, when it was actually in Deptford.

After allegedly filing the fraudulent applications, he received approximately he received about $31,302.000 from FEMA and a $10,000.00 RSP grant.

He's charged with third-degree theft by deception.

4. Galetta, 74, of Sayreville, New Jersey allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and a state grant under the Homeowner Resettlement Program (RSP).

In her alleged efforts, she allegedly collected nearly $19,969.00 in relief funds that she wasn't entitled to by claiming in her applications the weekend/vacation home that she owns in Seaside Park on 24th Avenue was her primary residence when Sandy hit, when it was actually in Sayreville.

After allegedly filing the fraudulent applications, she collected about $9,969.00 from FEMA and a $10,000.00 RSP grant.

She's charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

5. Petersack-Kunz, 56, of Ewing, New Jersey allegedly filed fraudulent applications following Superstorm Sandy for FEMA assistance and state grant funds under the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance Program (SHRAP).

In her alleged efforts, she allegedly collected nearly $17,743 in relief funds that she wasn't entitled to by claiming in her applications the home she currently owns in Manahawkin with her husband on Judy Drive was damaged by Sandy, but when the storm hit she lived in Ewing. He was the sole owner at the time.

Her husband has his primary home in Florida at the time.

She also received a $10,000.00 RSP grant and an SBA loan of $116,300.00 but she repaid those two sums.

After allegedly filing the fraudulent applications, she collected about $2,820.00 in FEMA rental assistance and approximately $14,923.00 in SHRAP funds.

She's charged with third-degree theft by deception and fourth-degree unsworn falsification.

Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.00.

Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.00, while fourth-degree charges carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000.00.

However all charges are just accusations and the accused are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office is continuing their investigation into Sandy Fraud claims working alongside various government organizations.

"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 Chris Porrino. "We'll continue to charge every cheat we identify who diverted funds from these recovery programs and from victims in need."

"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."

"It is unconscionable that people would steal Sandy recovery money from fellow New Jerseyans who legitimately qualify for assistance," said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman. "The passage of time has done nothing to quiet our vigilance against recovery cheats. We remain steadfast in working with our law enforcement partners to catch anyone who misuses our Sandy recovery programs."

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