New Jersey

Woman Pleads Guilty to Claiming to Be Sandy Victim for Free Hotel Rooms

5 others now facing Superstorm Sandy charges

A woman who falsely portrayed herself as a Sandy victim to get free hotel rooms and relief aid has pleaded guilty to a felony charge.

Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Thursday that Caterina Curatolo has been ordered to pay more than $87,000 in restitution to New York City and the American Red Cross.

The Queens woman received a three-year conditional discharge after pleading guilty to falsifying business records.

Judge Gene Lopez said at the woman's sentencing hearing Thursday that Curatolo "exploited the system designed to help people severely damaged by the storm."

"It's despicable and you should be ashamed of yourself," Lopez told Curatolo.

In a series of aid applications and interviews, Curatolo said her house had been had been struck by lightning four times and ruined by flooding during the October 2012 storm. She lived in hotels on taxpayers' dime for more than 269 days.

Investigators determined it had been in a state of severe disrepair for years - to the point of drawing neighbors' complaints. 

An attorney for Curatolo said that it was hard for Curatolo to admit guilt because she didn't think she did anything wrong. 

Five more New Jersey residents were charged with making fraudulent claims for aid following Superstorm Sandy. [[383382921, C]]

Acting state Attorney General Robert Lougy said New Jersey has now charged 62 people with similar types of fraud.

Three of the five people charged Thursday are accused of falsely claiming in their grant and loan applications that their damaged shore homes were primary residences.

One was allegedly a resident of Dumont at the time of the storm but claimed his primary residence was in Seaside Heights. He received about $187,000 in relief funds.

Another person charged Thursday allegedly submitted fraudulent documents seeking reimbursement of rental expenses after Superstorm Sandy that she never incurred.

The five are charged with theft by deception and other offenses.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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