5 Charged In Probe Into Fraudulent Applications For Sandy Relief Funds

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Five people have been charged in an ongoing investigation into filing fraudulent applications for federal Sandy relief funds in New York and New Jersey.

Acting New Jersey Attorney General John Hoffman said the five individuals who were charged Thursday are among a total of 50 accused of filing fraudulent applications after Superstorm Sandy.

"Lying to collect any form of public assistance is inexcusable, but it is especially egregious in the context of a major disaster like Superstorm Sandy, when all available funds are needed for those who were hardest hit and who legitimately qualify for aid," Hoffman said in a statement.

In most cases, Hoffman said those who are facing charges applied for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and in many cases also filed for financial help from a Sandy relief program funded by HUD, low-interest disaster loans from the SBA, or assistance provided by the New Jersey Department of Human Services.

The five residents charged Thursday include Dennis Zawadzki, 63, of Clifton; Juli Schaber, 58, of Colonia; Daniela Cannizzo-Rybak, 36, of Little Falls; Nancy L. Fletcher, 54, of Ringwood; and Christopher Carlino, 51, of Staten Island.