Crime & Safety

Contractor Sentenced for Failure to Register for Post-Sandy Work

An area contractor has been sentenced to one year of probation for failing to register with the state Division of Consumer Affairs and conducting post-Hurricane Sandy business in Highlands and Belmar after Hurricane Sandy, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Victor McGookin, 53, of Seaside Park, was sentenced Friday to one year probation on one count of fourth-degree failure to register with the state Division of Consumer Affairs before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Honora O’Brien Kilgallen, J.S.C.

McGookin pleaded guilty on November 21, 2013, admitting he attempted to transact business as a contractor in Highlands and Belmar in April and May 2013, in the wake of Superstorm Sandy, without first registering as a contractor with the state agency as required by law.

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The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew S. Fried of the Office’s Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau, who serves as coordinator of the Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force.

McGookin is represented by Patrice R. Hayslett, Esq. and JoAnna Boretti, Esq., of Freehold.

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The Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force was launched in February 2013 to address complaints arising from fraudulent reconstruction and home repair, charitable contribution or cyber-scams and other consumer-related issues.

Homeowners or citizens can report complaints via the following:

• The Task Force webpage at www.SandyFraud.com or call the Task Force hotline at (855) SANDY 39.

• Visit the Task Force Command Center, located in the Bayshore Activity Center at Bayshore Waterfront Park, 719 Port Monmouth Road, in Port Monmouth.

Command Center hours are Tuesdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and Thursdays from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.



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