Sea Bright Man Admits Defrauding FEMA Program

A Sea Bright man admitted defrauding the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) of over $12,000 in Transitional Shelter Assistance (TSA) grant money when he spent 68 nights in various hotels in 2013.

William Nagle, 52, pleaded guilty on Tuesday to one count of theft by deception.

Nagle's Center Street apartment building was damaged by flooding caused by Superstorm Sandy. The first floor of the apartment was flooded, the electrical service to the building was interrupted and the heat and hot water units for the building were damaged and needed to be replaced rendering his third floor apartment temporarily uninhabitable, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Nagle was provided with TSA funding for short-term lodging due to the disaster-related damage.

Despite being given a certificate of occupancy to return to his residence after the work was completed, Nagle admitted he extended his stay in the hotels using the FEMA money.

As part of his plea agreement with the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, the state will recommend a probationary sentence conditioned upon 68 days in jail, and restitution of $12,114.25. Nagle is scheduled to be sentenced on April 17.