Nassau DA Announces Charges Against Businessman In Sandy Scam Case

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York businessman is facing felony forgery and other charges in an alleged Superstorm Sandy scam.

Nassau County DA Kathleen Rice said Mark Rauch, 63, was arrested Tuesday.

The Oceanside contractor is accused of doctoring a Town of Hempstead mailing that portrayed him as authorized to expedite building permits for Sandy repair work.

Rice said the doctored letter included contact information for My Expediter LLC, a company that was owned and operated by Rauch.

He indicated the fee for his services was $499. Hempstead officials, however, had previously announced that all building permit fees had been waived in the wake of the storm.

Rauch is accused of sending it to 2,000 homeowners. Prosecutors said it does not appear Rauch collected any fees from anyone.

He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

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