Recovered Sandy Money Goes To Graybeards

2014-04-18 / Top Stories

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Funds from a fraudulent Sandy relief charity are finally being redistributed and the Graybeards are one of the charities that are benefitting.

According to a report by The Press of Atlantic City, the Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation was an unregistered charity that collected funds that were supposed to help Hurricane Sandy victims. In 2013, the state of New Jersey sued the charity and its founders, John Sandberg and Christina Terraccino, alleging that the pair failed to register their charity and used the money for their personal expenses. They also claimed that the donations were tax-deductible but the foundation did not have IRS 501(c) (3) tax-exempt status.

In June, the state reached a settlement with the pair and a courtappointed administrator took control of the funds. The Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation was dissolved. Sandberg and Terraccino can no longer accept donations in New Jersey for Hurricane Sandy relief and they cannot serve in any leadership position with a New Jersey charity for at least two years.

The money collected from the charity is finally going where it belongs. A total of $225,000 was given to four charities in New Jersey and one in New York. Another $100,000 is under review for future distribution.

In New Jersey, O.C.E.A.N., Inc., of Toms River, received $100,000 to build 12 three-bedroom, single family homes that will be rented to Sandy victims. The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties received $50,000 for food pantries that serve Sandy victims. The Alliance Center for Independence, of Edison, in partnership with South Carolina-based Portlight Strategies, Inc., received $50,000 to aid individuals with disabilities.

Local group, the Graybeards, was given $25,000. The Graybeards have helped provide cash to families that need financial assistance ever since the storm
.