Atlantic City Homeowner Charged With Superstorm Sandy Fraud

TRENTON - An Atlantic City woman who claimed her home in the city was damaged during Superstorm Sandy and received $34,090 in relief funds has been charged with theft by deception by the state Attorney General's Office.

Carmen Martinez, 57, said her home on North Iowa Avenue in Atlantic City was her primary home when the Oct. 29, 2012 storm hit, when her primary residence was actually in Galloway Township, according to a release from the Attorney General's Office

The Atlantic City home was a rental property.

Martinez received $9,090 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, a $10,000 Homeowner Resettlement grant resettlement and $15,000 in the Sandy Homeowner and Renter Assistance program (SHRAP) funds.

“It’s despicable that over 100 people saw fit to resort to fraud in the face of a historic disaster, allegedly stealing funds intended for those who were hardest hit,” Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino said. "At the same time, we’re heartened by the many who stepped up to help others and we’re proud of our historic collaborative efforts to fight fraud, which have recovered millions of dollars and sent an unmistakable message that those who commit this type of fraud will face serious criminal charges.”

Martinez was also charged with fourth-degree unsworn falsification, authorities said.

“DCA has been committed from day one of the Sandy recovery effort to ensuring that recovery funds get to Sandy survivors who legitimately qualify for assistance,” said DCA Commissioner Charles A. Richman. “As part of our charge to be good stewards of public funds, we have and will continue to vigilantly report to the proper authorities those individuals who seek to misuse Sandy recovery funds.”

Martinez was one of four residents charged yesterday with Sandy fraud, bringing the total number to 104 so far.

Photo: New Jersey Attorney General's Office