Prosecutors recommend 3 year prison sentence for Sandy contractor
An Ocean County contractor has admitted to taking money from 19 Superstorm Sandy victims and not finishing repairs, authorities say.
In this aerial photo, sand fills the streets in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2012, along the central Jersey Shore. (Mike Groll/AP Photo)
An Ocean County contractor has admitted to taking money from 19 Superstorm Sandy victims and not finishing repairs, authorities say.
Prosecutors say George LaRosa, 50, of Barnegat pleaded guilty Monday to one count of second-degree theft by failure to make required disposition.
LaRosa entered into contracts with homeowners throughout Stafford, Lacey, Toms River, Long Beach, Ship Bottom, and Little Egg Harbor, according to prosecutors.
But prosecutors say LaRosa failed to make repairs and instead used the money received for his own use before closing his business and leaving homeowners in various stages of disrepair.
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office recommended a three year prison sentence and $456,650 in restitution to victims, adding that LaRosa agreed to make full restitution.
WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.
Brought to you by Down the Shore
N.J. charges 4 secondary homeowners with Sandy fraud
New Jersey authorities announced Thursday criminal charges against four more people for allegedly filing fraudulent federal Superstorm Sandy relief fund applications.
5 years ago
Prosecutor accuses Sandy contractors of stealing more than $2M
Two Superstorm Sandy contractors stole more than $2 million dollars from clients, prosecutors allege.
5 years ago
Superstorm Sandy contractor gets 5-year prison term for scamming homeowners
A contractor convicted of scamming eight New Jersey homeowners out of more than $247,000 following Superstorm Sandy has been sentenced to five years in state prison.
5 years ago
