A New York man admitted in court Monday that he defrauded Rumson homeowners of money intended to cover repairs to their home damaged by Hurricane Sandy, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s office said.
Frank Lewery, 52, of the Tottenville section of Staten Island, pleaded guilty in Superior Court in Freehold to one count of third degree theft and one count of failing to register with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
Acting Prosecutor Christopher Gramiccioni said in a press release that an investigation by the Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force found that revealed Lewery took checks given to him by homeowners for repairs to their Rumson home and cashed them at check-cashing facilities on Staten Island and Brooklyn.
At the time of his arrest last October, authorities said Lewery had scammed Rumson homeowners for $37,500.
As part of a plea agreement, the state will recommend a sentence of three years in prison and restitution of $30,740. Lewery’s sentencing, by Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Mellaci, Jr., is scheduled for May 16.
Lewery was not registered with the state as a home improvement contractor, Gramiccioni said.
Lewery has been free on $75,000 bail.
