New Jersey Man Sentenced for Superstorm Sandy Scam

November 25, 2013

A central New Jersey man has been sentenced to five years in state prison after admitting he preyed on Superstorm Sandy victims by promising them low-cost housing or cars and defrauding them of approximately $55,000.

The attorney general’s office says David Ruddy was sentenced on Nov. 21 in Middlesex County.

The 33-year-old Metuchen resident pleaded guilty on Oct. 8 to third-degree theft by deception. He was ordered to pay restitution to all of his victims.

Authorities accused him of stealing from 13 victims overall, including seven people who were in need of housing or a car due to Sandy.

A spokesman for the attorney general’s office says Ruddy, who was arrested in January, allegedly stole amounts ranging from about $1,000 to $9,000 from his victims.

Authorities say Ruddy met several victims at shelters, where he allegedly posed as a member of the Red Cross or law enforcement there to help.

Topics New Jersey

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