Auditors are recommending the Federal Emergency Management Agency withhold $523,000 in disaster aid from a Jersey shore town for the cost of cleaning up after Superstorm Sandy.
The Homeland Security Inspector General's Office faults Belmar for the way it structured two no-bid debris-removal contacts. Auditors say it could potentially benefit contractors more than taxpayers.
Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty tells the Asbury Park Press the town is stuck in the middle of a disagreement between two arms of the same federal agency. Doherty says FEMA was well aware of the contracts before they were agreed to.
Auditors in March criticized Beach Haven and Little Egg harbor for how they kept records of their emergency debris-removal costs.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
