NEWARK, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Acting Attorney General John Hoffman announced on Thursday that the remaining funds donated to an allegedly fraudulent Superstorm Sandy charity were distributed to another charity to help individuals affected by the storm.
John Sandberg and Christina Terraccino, the principals of the Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation (HSRF), previously settled with the state to resolve a lawsuit alleging they were operating an unregistered charity. Sandberg and Terraccino allegedly misled the public and made false claims while soliciting donations for HSRF.
The remainder of the funds donated to HSRF, which totaled $100,000, were distributed to Habitat for Humanity of Monmouth County Inc. and the Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties.
"We are bringing closure to the many well-intentioned and generous donors who gave to this allegedly fraudulent charity, and bringing genuine relief to low-income families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by Sandy," Hoffman said.
Hoffman's office filed suit in February 2013 against HSRF, Sandberg and Terraccino, alleging they diverted donated funds into their personal accounts, falsely claimed donations were tax-deductible and operated an unregistered charity. A settlement was reached in June 2013 with Sandberg and Terraccino.
A total of $325,000 received by HSRF from donors has now been distributed to legitimate charitable organizations.
Remaining funds from Superstorm Sandy settlement distributed to N.J. Habitat for Humanity
