According to an allegation, a developer from Long Island is suspected of taking millions from Hurricane Relief survivors and utilizing the funds for personal purposes, particularly a number of luxury vehicles.
Alexander Almaraz, the contractor accused of $2.5M Sandy Relief fraud, is accused of stealing $2.5 million from at least 20 victims after Superstorm Sandy hit the area around New York City in October 2012.
In Accordance with Allegations
Charges of wire fraud conspiracy, attempted wire fraud, and wire fraud are brought against Almaraz, the owner of Design Concepts Group LLC in Freeport.
According to Breon Peace, the US attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Alexander Almaraz, 55, is accused of stealing from at least 20 victims hit the area around New York City, amount of $2.5 million after Superstorm Sandy.
Claims of criminal fraud conspiracy, attempted cable theft, and wiring forgery are brought against Almaraz, the owner of Design Concepts Group LLC in Freeport.
The contractor allegedly stole the funds and spent them to fulfill his own credit card debt, purchase a Lamborghini, a Porsche, a Jaguar, and a piece of land in Missouri.
Alexander Almaraz Actions
Almaraz signed agreements with homes who wanted to rehabilitate after the disaster. Houses would be lifted by the builder and put on a makeshift support structure so that broken basements could be replaced without having to demolish the building.
In a press statement, Peace claimed that the suspect “took control of devastated individuals who have been eager to reconstruct their houses and personal homes in the following Hurricane Sandy.”
Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly stated that the contractor “supposedly assured victims for almost four years that he’d fix their houses, yet he utilised hurricane relief funds to buy luxurious vehicles and land in another state.”
If found guilty on each allegation, Almaraz could spend up to 30 years in jail.
