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Sea Bright Man Accused Of Defrauding FEMA

FREEHOLD, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A Sea Bright man is charged with scamming the Federal Emergency Management Agency out of thousands of dollars in post-Sandy relief money.

Prosecutors said 51-year-old William Nagle took federal assistance for stays at hotel rooms for three months even though he could have been living in his apartment.

Nagle's third-floor apartment was temporarily uninhabitable after the Oct. 29 storm flooded the building, knocking out electricity and damaging the heat and hot water units. Tenants were allowed back into their apartments on Dec. 29, 2012.

Nagle allegedly exploited the agency's Transitional Shelter Assistance program for more than $12,000 to pay for 68 nights at various hotels between Jan. 14 and March 23.

"Being a victim does not open the door to defraud the government in times of need. We can all pull together in times of crisis to help one another, but that combined effort to aid and assist comes with the understanding that no one will take advantage of the situation," stated Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Nagle is charged with third degree theft by deception. He is being held on $5,000 bail.

Nagle faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

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