Sandy Fraud Task Force Ends Hours at Bayshore Community Center

The Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force will end office hours at the Bayshore Community Center in Port Monmouth a year after setting up shop, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced Monday.

"We set out with a mission to protect and serve the victims of Superstorm Sandy from the unscrupulous contractors and predators who would look for an opportunity to defraud or engage in improper or negligent business practices in the wake of the most horrific weather event in recent memory," Gramiccioni said in a press release.

The task force received 232 referrals and closed 188 cases. About 92 cases were referred to the Monmouth County Department of Consumer Affairs, resulting in $235,000 for Sandy victims through refunds and negotiated bill reductions.

Some 88 cases were examined criminally and 63 investigations were closed. Ten of these cases have resulted in charges.

On Friday, Shane Wood, 48, of the 200 block of Sharon Drive in Toms River, was sentenced to one-year probation with a $1,000 fine for failure to register with the state Division of Consumer Affairs and uttering a forged instrument.

The task force is a coordinated effort between the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, and the state Office of Attorney General Divisions of Criminal Justice and Consumer Affairs, coordinating efforts with a Working Group established by the Attorney General’s Office to collect and track complaint data received from affected counties across the State. The Task Force is staffed by prosecutors, law enforcement officers and regulatory officials from a number of County and Federal agencies, including the county Prosecutor’s Office, county Department of Consumer Affairs, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, Internal Revenue Service, Environmental Protection Agency, state Division of Taxation, and more. 

Homeowners or citizens can continue to report complaints through the task force webpage at www.SandyFraud.com or call at (855) SANDY 39.