CBSN New YorkWatch Now
Filed Under:Chris Christie, Hurricane Sandy, monica miller, Superstorm Sandy
Homes damaged in Ortley Beach, N.J., during superstorm Sandy (credit: Getty Images)

TRENTON, N.J., (CBSNewYork) — Millions of dollars in federal superstorm Sandy aid meant to rebuild New Jersey homes went to projects far away from the counties hardest hit by the storm.

As WCBS 880’s Monica Miller reported, the Garden State received almost $160 million from Washington to build muti-family apartment complexes, public housing projects and special-needs housing in nine counties destroyed by superstorm Sandy.

READ MORE: NYC Parks Department Asks New Yorkers To Suggest Black Leaders For Park Renaming Project

But according to a report in The Star-Ledger of Newark, about one-third of the money went to Essex and Middlesex counties. Hard-hit communities in Ocean County saw less than 8 percent of the funding.

At least two projects in particular have recently raised eyebrows.

READ MORE: Wife Of Top Cuomo Aide Shows Support On Social Media For Governor's Latest Sexual Harassment Accuser

Money was given to two communities after Gov. Chris Christie was given political endorsements in areas barely touched by the storm — Belleville and New Brunswick. The New Brunswick project — in which $4.8 million was awarded to help build a high-rise — is backed by former NBA star Shaquille O’Neal, a Christie supporter.

The report comes after Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer alleged that Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno threatened to withhold Sandy funds unless the mayor approved a development project. Guadagno has denied the allegation.

State officials said they followed federal guidelines to put new housing in place as quickly as possible.

MORE NEWS: Connecticut Nurse Faces Up To 5 Years In Jail After Admitting To Removing Opioid Painkiller From Vials Of Infertility Treatment Patients

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
[display-posts category=”news” posts_per_page=”4″]