The team, consisting of  Emily Golembiski of Little Egg Harbor, Jillian Hubbard of Toms River, Gillian Schriever of West Creek, Michael Signorelli of Toms River and Megan Tumpey of  Brick, will represent New Jersey in the 2013 North American Envirothon at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana in August.

The Ocean County students competed against 33 other teams on knowledge of natural resources-related topics, including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife ecology and a current environmental issue. This year’s theme was “Sustainable Rangeland Management: Achieving a Balance Between Traditional Agricultural Uses with Non-Agricultural Uses on Montana Rangelands.”

“For 20 years, New Jersey high school students have had the opportunity to participate in this valuable competition and learn more about the environment, natural resources and science,” said Secretary Fisher. “We hope they take advantage of the skills they learned and consider careers in agriculture and natural resources-related fields.”

Each of the MATES team members received $1,000 scholarships from the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts, $2,000 scholarships from Richard Stockton State College and $1,000 scholarships from Applied and Health Sciences at Kean University.

Two 5-member teams of MATES students competed in last year’s Envirothon with all but one of those students graduating. The two MATES teams placed first and second in 2012. An almost entirely new set of 10 students made up this year’s two teams.

“I am very proud of the hard work and dedication put forth by our members,” said MATES Advisor Adam Sprague.  “It was quite an accomplishment considering it was the first year competing for nine out of the 10 team members. We now turn our attention to Montana which offers an exciting variety of challenges in terms of preparation for our students.”

The second-place team in this year’s Envirothon was West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and third place was taken by High Tech High School, North Bergen.

The Envirothon is sponsored by the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, State Soil Conservation Committee; New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts; the 15 Soil Conservation Districts; United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service; New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection; and Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

The 15 Soil Conservation Districts in New Jersey follow county boundaries and implement the New Jersey Soil and Sediment Control Act, which governs certain aspects of new development.  These semi-autonomous bodies are locally governed and play a strong role in the protection of New Jersey’s natural resources.

“As part of our annual overlay program, we will be starting work shortly on safety improvements including stormwater drainage work, new paving and reconstruction on several roads throughout Ocean County,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, Director of Law and Public Safety. “All totaled we will be repairing more than 13 miles of roadway starting in the next few weeks.”

The Board of Freeholders is scheduled to award a contract to Earle Asphalt Company, Farmingdale, in the amount of $2 million to reconstruct portions of seven roadways.

“This work will get under way in the next few weeks and while there may be some inconvenience to motorists during the work surely the completed repairs will make for better and safer traveling around OceanCounty,” said Freeholder Deputy Director James F. Lacey, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Road Department.

The roadways to be improved under the contract are 1.05 miles of Herbertsville Road in Brick Township from the Monmouth County line to Lanes Mills Road; 1.24 miles of Farraday Avenue in Lakewood; one mile of Long Beach Boulevard from 31^st to 59^th street in Long Beach Township; almost one mile of James Street, from Main Street to Hooper Avenue in Toms River; 6/10ths of a mile of Massachusetts Avenue, from Cox Cro Road to Route 70 in Toms River; 1.12 miles of Vermont Avenue, in Toms River, from Cox Cro Road to the Lakewood border and Buckwald Drive at Ocean County College in Toms River.

In addition, the Board is scheduled to go out to bid to provide safety improvements to four additional roads with work expected to begin in July.

Those roads include 2.16 miles of Church Road in Toms River, from Hooper Avenue to North Bay Avenue; 1.39 miles of Lanes Mills Road in Lakewood and Brick Townships, from Route 88 to limits of Garden State Parkway Interchange 91; 1.11 miles of Lighthouse Drive in Ocean Township from Route 9 east to Barnegat Bay and 2.34 miles of West Bay Avenue in Barnegat Township from Pine Street to Route 72.

“We maintain more than 620 county road miles so it is imperative we have a program in place to maintain our infrastructure,” said Kelly, who serves as liaison for the Ocean County Engineering Department. “Each year we perform improvements to a number of roadways. Well maintained roads certainly are safer for our motorists and pedestrians.”

Charges pending in Jackson and Plumsted.

Hamilton Township, Mercer County– New Jersey State Police arrested four people in connection with a commercial burglary ring that is believed to have been responsible for more than 20 burglaries, and used lookouts, two-way radios, and other means to avoid detection by law enforcement.

On Friday, April 12, State Police detectives interviewed Francisco Chadwick, 25, of New Egypt, at the Ocean County Jail, where he was incarcerated for a drug court probation violation.  Chadwick was then charged with six counts of Burglary and Theft for the burglaries that occurred in State Police patrolled areas.  He remains in the Ocean County Jail on $150,000 full cash bail in reference to the new charges.

Three co-conspirators were interviewed and arrested Monday, April 15, at the Hamilton State Police Barracks.  Heather Yesuvida, 24, of Cream Ridge, was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Receiving Stolen Property, and Possession of Burglary Tools she was lodged in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $40,000 full cash bail.  Walter Ivans, 22, of Cookstown was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and lodged in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $30,000 full cash bail. Adam Laczny was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary and lodged in the Monmouth County Jail in lieu of $10,000 full cash bail.

Over the past several months, the State Police and numerous local departments in Monmouth, Ocean, Burlington, Mercer, Atlantic, and Sussex counties investigated more than 20 commercial burglaries believed to be committed by the same person.  Detectives from the Troop “C” Criminal Investigations Office, and Crime Scene Investigations Central Unit in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation identified Francisco Chadwick as the main suspect.  Chadwick allegedly enlisted Yesuvida, Ivins, and Laczny, as his lookouts and drivers.

Video surveillance reviewed by investigators captured a man to believed to be Chadwick, wearing a mask, hat, hooded sweatshirt, jeans, and a coat.  Prior to entering a location, he allegedly cut wires in an attempt to disarm alarm systems.  Once inside, he is believed to have stolen money, computers, electronics and alcohol.

Troopers searched Chadwick’s residence, and Yesuvida’s motor vehicle.  They recovered a ski mask, two way radios, and cameras in addition to other evidence.  On several occasions, Chadwick and Yesuvida exchanged coins for cash at a Freehold Township business.

Further charges are expected to be filled by police departments that participated in this investigation.  They are:

Allentown Borough

PlumstedTownship

JacksonTownship

EastWindsorTownship

HammontonTownship

Franklin Borough, SussexCounty

In particular, the new School Performance Reports seek to:

• Focus attention on metrics that are indicative of college and career readiness.
• Benchmark a school’s performance against other peer schools that are educating similar students, against statewide outcomes, and against state targets to illuminate and build upon a school’s strengths and identify areas for improvement.
• Improve educational outcomes for students by providing both longitudinal and growth data so that progress can be measured as part of an individual school’s efforts to engage in continuous improvement.

TOMS RIVER REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

BEACHWOOD ELEM
CEDAR GROVE ELEM
EAST DOVER ELEM
HOOPER AVE ELEM
JOSEPH A CITTA ELEM
NORTH DOVER ELEM
PINE BEACH ELEM
SILVER BAY ELEMENTARY
SOUTH TOMS RIVER ELEM
TOMS RIVER HIGH EAST
TOMS RIVER HIGH NORTH
TOMS RIVER HIGH SOUTH
TOMS RIVER INTERMEDIATE E
TOMS RIVER INTERMEDIATE N
TOMS RIVER INTERMEDIATE S
WALNUT STREET ELEM
WASHINGTON ST ELEM
WEST DOVER ELEM

JACKSON TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

CARL W GOETZ MIDDLE SCH
CHRISTA MCAULIFFE MID SCH
CRAWFORD RODRIGUEZ ELEM
ELMS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
HOWARD C JOHNSON ELEM
JACKSON LIBERTY HIGH
JACKSON MEMORIAL HIGH
LUCY N HOLMAN ELEM
SWITLIK ELEM
SYLVIA ROSENAUER ELEM

BRICK TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

BRICK COMM PRIM LEARN CTR
BRICK TWP HIGH
BRICK TWP MEMORIAL HIGH
DRUM POINT ROAD ELEM
EMMA HAVENS YOUNG ELEM
HERBERTSVILLE ELEM
LAKE RIVIERA MIDDLE
LANES MILL ELEM
MIDSTREAMS ELEM
OSBORNVILLE ELEM
VETERANS MEM ELEM
VETERANS MEM MIDDLE SCH

BERKELEY TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

BAYVILLE ELEM
BERKELEY TOWNSHIP ES
CLARA B WORTH ELEM
H & M POTTER ELEM

CENTRAL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

CENTRAL REGIONAL HIGH
CENTRAL REGIONAL MIDDLE

LAKEWOOD–The Lakewood Piners defeated Manasquan 62-49 to win the Central Jersey Group II title.

Photo by www.thelakewoodscoop.com

113: #9 Chris Crane (Southern) md. #8 Connor Maliff (Brick Mem)  11-0
113: #5 Ben Mrozinski (Lacey) d. #12 Zack Baker (Jackson Mem)  4-0
113: #3 Nick DePierro (Freehold Twp) md. #14 Tommy Flannigan (Long Branch)  12-0
113: #7 Nasiyr Brown (Neptune) d. #10 Costa Poniros (Ocean Twp)  9-2

120: #8 Joseph Santamarco (Manalapan) d. #9 Connor Garrity (Lacey)  8-3
120: #4 Matt Russo (Jackson Liberty) d. Andy Hernandez (Long Branch)  3-1
120: #7 Dylan Seidenberg (Raritan) d. #10 Josh Glantzman (Wall)  2-1 2OT
120: #2 Dan Nobbs (Pt Boro) p. #15 Yospeh Boral (TR East)  2:57

126: #5 Anthony Scarcella (Raritan) md. #12 Khalil Haskins (Matawan)  13-1
126: #4 Marcus Iwama (Rumson) p. #13 Isaiah Haymon (Neptune)  4:21
126: #7 Andrew Tonneson (Southern) p. #10 Pete Powell (Marlboro)  5:50
126: #2 Jared Staub (Brick Mem) d. #15 Thomas Poklikuha (Pinelands)  5-2

132: #9 Dan Saraiva (Marlboro) d. #8 William Rodriguez (Matawan)  7-2
132: #4 Zach Hertling (Ocean Twp) d. #13 Joe Mandara (Barnegat)  6-0
132: #6 Ryan Harter (Pt Boro) d. #11 Nick Menkin (Long Branch)  5-4
132: #2 Kyle Wojtaszek (Brick Twp) d. #15 Ryan Davis (TR North)  9-2

138: #9 Christian Casselli (CBA) d. #8 Tim Leo (Matawan)  7-6
138: #5 Jake Camapana (Southern) p. #12 Carlos Fontanez (Keansburg)  1:29
138: #4 Steve Cimmino (Brick Twp) p. #13 Andrew Garrity (Lacey)  1:25
138: #10 Dan Kinsella (Wall) d. #7 Jack Rada (Howell)

145: #9 Nick Racanelli (Southern) d. #8 Sam Koenig (Shore)  3-0
145: #12 Matt Best (Middletown South) p. #5 Orion Rovegno (Ocean Twp)  5:45
145: #3 Spencer Young (Jackson Mem) p. #14 Steve Knapp (Lacey)  2:22
145: #10 Terrence Davis (St John Vianney) d. #7 Nick Pollara (Brick Twp)  7-5

152: #8 Dylan DaSilva (TR North) d. #9 Garrett Applegate (TR South)  6-4
152: #5 Jake George (Long Branch) tf. #12 Evan Brown (Red Bank)  15-0
152: #7 William Scott (Brick Twp) d. #10 Jake Kaminsky (Manalapan)  5-4
152: #2 Cliff Ruggiero (Brick Mem) p. #15 Jeff Goldrosen (Marlboro)  5:20

160: #8 Joe Beverly (Brick Mem) d. #9 Sean Rembach (Manchester)  8-4
160: #5 Antres Clagon (TR South) tf. #12 Steven Chandler (Manalapan)  16-1
160: #3 Anthony Ferraro (St John Vianney) d. #14 Jason Lawhon (Ocean Twp)  5-2
160: #7 Connor Sheehan (Raritan) d. #10 Jose Caraballo (Neptune)  7-4

170: #1 Tyler Richardson (Brick Mem) p. #16 Chris Cruz (Jackson Liberty)  2:45
170: #9 Ryan Kirk (Barnegat) d. #8 Anthony Benedetti (Manalapan)  7-3
170: #6 Kyle Lynch (Raritan) d. #11 Dan Baillie (Shore)  5-0
170: #7 Tyler Wilton (Middletown North) d. #10 Tyler MacLaine (TR North)

182: #8 Tommy Lyster (Ocean Twp) md. Quentin DeCarlo (TR South)  10-2
182: #6 Drew Donner (Wall) p. #11 Spencer Govel (Manasquan)  3:05
182: #7 Anthony Fabiano (Middletown North) p. #10 Muhab Elgamal (Manalapan)  1:42
182: #2 Glenn Cross (Matawan) tf. #15 Greg Schmalz (Barnegat)  18-3

195: #5 Chad Freshnock (Middletown North) d. #12 Tyler Romanelli (Wall)  2-1
195: #4 Shawn McCord (RBC) md. #13 Nick Dzuna (Pt Boro)  11-3
195: #6 Dan Hwang (Marlboro) p. #11 Josh Foca (Central)  1:49
195: #7 Ben Aquilina (Manalapan) d. #10 Armando Leonor (TR East)  6-3

220: #5 Jesse Bauta (Southern) p. #12 Mike McKenzie (Jackson Liberty)  2:30
220: #3 John Seidle (Neptune) p. #14 Tyler Tomanek (Middletown South)  3:42
220: #6 Matt Frigon (Barnegat) d. #11 Luke Becker (Manalapan)  5-3
220: #7 Joey Guidetti (Long Branch) d. #10 Anthony Dzugan (Brick Twp)  8-4 2OT

Hwt: #8 Ezra Figueroa (Brick Mem) d. #9 Thomas D’Amore (Pt Beach)  3-2
Hwt: #5 Hunter Gellman (Freehold Twp) d. #12 Dan Arias (Ocean Twp)  5-1
Hwt: #3 Anthony Fernicola (Holmdel) d. #14 Zach Andrews (Barnegat)  1-0
Hwt: #15 Atanacio Carrillo (Central) d. #2 Pat Toal (Raritan)  5-2

TOMS RIVER–After conducting a month long investigation by the Toms River Police Department’s Special Enforcement Team (SET).   On Thursday, February 23rd, the department executed search warrants at two Toms River homes.

Police descended upon 3110 Oceanic Drive in this East Dover neighborhood, near Fischer Boulevard at around 1 pm to discover the home was an active heroin manufacturing facility where over two and a half ounces of raw heroin were found.

Toms River Police Chief Michael Mastronardy said the estimated street value of the heroin was roughly $50,000.00.   Officers also seized manufacturing and packaging equipment and $1500.00 in U.S. Currency. 

Additionally, “A variety of prescription medications including Suboxone and Oxycodone were located,” Mastronardy said.  ”As a result eleven individuals were arrested on a variety of drug related charges including the charges of maintaining a drug manufacturing facility.”

The raids were executed by the Toms River Police Departments Emergency Services Unit (E.S.U.) commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Laffan with assistance from the departments Patrol Division and the Ocean County Prosecutors Office Special Operations Group.

Mastronardy told the Ocean Signal that a second warrant was executed nearby at 570 Fischer Boulevard in the apartments above a two unit commercial building.   Mastronardy said the arrests, while connected to each other did not involve the businesses who occupy the address.

Police are asking that anyone with information on this incident call Sgt. O’Keefe at 732-349-0150 extension 127.

The individuals arrested were:

Taquan Pearson age 31 of Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, charged with possession of over a half ounce of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute over a half ounce of heroin and maintaining a drug manufacturing facility.  Bail set by Judge Hodgson $250,000.00 cash only.

Jason Vehock age 35 of 3110 Oceanic Drive, Toms River,  charged with possession of over a half ounce of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute over a half ounce of heroin and maintaining a drug manufacturing facility.   Bail set by Judge Hodgson $250,000.00 cash only.

Helene Coyle age 23 of 169 Princeton Avenue, Brick, charged with possession of over a half ounce of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute over a half ounce of heroin and maintaining a drug manufacturing facility.  Bail set by Judge Hodgson $250,000.00 cash only.

Ira Jackson age 47 of Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, charged with possession of over a half ounce of heroin, possession with the intent to distribute over a half ounce of heroin and maintaining a drug manufacturing facility.  Bail set by Judge Hodgson $250,000.00 cash only.

Donna Salek age 49 of 34 Chadwick Avenue, Toms River, charged with possession of heroin.

Luigi Olivieri age 43 of 1023 Twin Oaks Drive, Toms River, charged with possession of heroin.

Joseph Duckworth age 46 of 543 Lloyd Road, Toms River, charged with possession of CDS paraphernalia

Russell Wickkiser age 37 of 3108 Oceanic road, Toms River, charged with possession of CDS paraphernalia.

Alyssa Lachappelle age 24 of 15 Magnolia Avenue, New Egypt, charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe and possession of stolen property.

Joseph Beaton age 33 of Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe.

Aryn Montague age 23 of 570 Fischer Boulevard, Toms River, charged with possession of a hypodermic syringe.

NEW EGYPT–With 30 days until racing returns to New Egypt Speedway, another piece of the 2013 season has been put into place. Today speedway management has introduced Mike Fattori as the new Race Controller.

Mike has been a dirt track racing enthusiast from a young age, attending weekly events at East Windsor Speedway and Flemington Speedway with his parents before ultimately calling New Egypt Speedway his “home” track after their transition to dirt. In 2001, Mike made his own transition, from fan to driver, and for seven years raced in the Sportsman and Crate Sportsman divisions at New Egypt Speedway, East Windsor Speedway and Bridgeport Speedway. For the past three seasons, Mike has been employed by New Egypt Speedway as part of the corner flag team, directing traffic at the back gate of the speedway.

“I’m honored that New Egypt Speedway has chosen me as the Race Controller,” said Fattori. “New Egypt Speedway is a first class facility offering the highest quality and most exciting short track dirt racing in the Northeast region.”

In his new role, Mike’s primary focus will be ensuring an orderly and time-efficient flow of the racing program throughout the night.  With his extensive background in racing, both in the stands and as a track employee, Mike will be instrumental in establishing a more effective lineup procedure and utilizing the new instant replay system to make more accurate race decisions.

“I look forward to working with the staff at New Egypt Speedway,” concluded Fattori. “It will be nice to catch up with old friends I’ve met through the years, as well as meeting the drivers and fans.”

Mike’s first order of business will be attending Winter Jam 2013, scheduled for Friday, February 22 from 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Gamblers Ridge Golf Club in Cream Ridge, New Jersey. Mike will be on-site to introduce himself to speedway staff, drivers, crew and fans. Be sure and stop by to say hello and congratulate Mike on his new position.

Visit www.newegyptspeedway.net for all the latest news and information about New Egypt Speedway. Like our NEW Official Facebook Page (/NewEgyptSpeedwayOfficial) and follow us on Twitter @nesspeedway.

(From left) Sara Brilliant and Amanda Kacperowski teamed up and raised over $10,000 for the New Jersey Amusement Association First Responders Relief Fund and the Toms River Regional Schools Hurricane Relief Fund with a Sandy benefit concert called Pier Pressure. Erik Weber / Ocean Signal Media Group

By Christa Riddle,
the Ocean Signal

TOMS RIVER–Known as “Generation M²” due to their heavy exposure to and use of media and technology, today’s kids ages 8 to 18 live a good portion of their young lives connected to iPods, computers, video games, tablets, and televisions. Many of these tweens and teens rely upon social media to keep them connected, informed, and entertained, while many adults shake their heads in opposition, wondering aloud if this is a healthy and constructive way for young minds to pass the hours. After all, what good can come out of all of this time spent idly socializing online?

For 14-year-old Sara Brilliant and 16-year-old Amanda Kacperowski, two Ocean County teens, social media and technology proved to be major driving forces behind their brain child “Pier Pressure,” a hurricane relief concert the teen girls successfully planned, coordinated, and promoted in less than three weeks. Pier Pressure realized sales of 200 tickets and raised over $10,000 for the New Jersey Amusement Association First Responders Relief Fund and the Toms River Regional Schools Hurricane Relief Fund. Again, many adults were left to wonder how two teens could accomplish so much in such a short time that helped so many people throughout the community. Of course, the girls’ parents felt nothing short of utter pride and amazement at their daughters’ motivation and achievement.

Prior to Hurricane Sandy, Sara and Amanda forged a friendship online, using tumblr, a micro-blogging and social media platform, to share their love of music and local bands. The girls never met in-person prior to planning for Pier Pressure, even though they live only five miles apart. Immediately after the hurricane left its indelible markings of damage along the Jersey Shore, the teens both witnessed personal stories of the storm’s devastation shared on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, and tumblr. Discussing what they saw and how many from the community were hurting, they paired their creative minds to find a way to help those in need, and so began the speedy evolution of Pier Pressure.

Sara and Amanda turned to technology to make their benefit concert a viable reality, using social media and email to contact and book local bands willing to help, as well as to spread the word and sell tickets for the December 1^st event at Toms River Intermediate East. The old-fashioned way, Sara and Amanda also pounded the pavement, hanging fliers in restaurants, stores, and entertainment spots all over the Brick and Toms River areas. Their event even received promotion on local radio stations.

The excitement and enthusiasm expressed by the fundraiser’s young founders spread with the same magnitude as the hurricane’s crashing waves as people from the area bought tickets to help their community while getting to see local bands perform. Some of the bands who donated their talents included Honor Society, the main act, as well as Kicking Daisies, Reverse Order, The Dedication, and Over the Edge. “In addition to bringing us closer together as friends, the storm brought our community closer. It showed how you can help others and make a difference in their lives,” shared Sara, a student in Toms River North High School’s class of 2016 who wants to be an archaeologist, FBI agent, or film director after high school.

Amanda, who plans to pursue a career in graphic design after she graduates from Monsignor Donovan High School in 2014, also commented, “The community and others around us were hurting, and we felt like we needed to put our time in to help. You should consider yourself lucky if the storm didn’t affect you.” Surprised by the success of their first fundraiser, the dynamic duo of Generation M² plans more benefits in the future. Sara and Amanda’s efforts and dedication show how the upcoming generation’s ingenuity and creative power can positively impact our world, as well as how technology and social media can bring people together during a time of need.

written by Christa Riddle, All About Writing, www.allaboutwritingconsulting.com for the Ocean Signal.

NEWARK – Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa and the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs have filed suit against the operators of a purported Superstorm Sandy charity, alleging the defendants unlawfully misled the public by diverting donated funds into their personal accounts, misleading donors with false claims about the ways donations would be used, falsely claiming that donations are tax-deductible, and otherwise deceiving the public in violation of New Jersey’s charity registration and consumer protection laws.

“New Jersey’s law keeps charities honest, by requiring them to register with the State and provide clear, truthful information when soliciting donations from the public,” Attorney General Chiesa said.  “This organization told the State it does not pay its executives, but our investigators found a paper trail reflecting thousands of dollars being transferred into the individual defendants’ personal bank accounts.  Meanwhile, less than one percent of the money they raised, has allegedly been paid out to help victims of Sandy. New Jersey and the Attorney General’s Office have fought hard against alleged scammers in the wake of Sandy, and we will not permit profiteers to deceive the public with deceptive appeals for charitable donations.”

Since Superstorm Sandy devastated parts of New Jersey, the Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation (HSRF) and its operators, John Sandberg and Christina Terraccino, have solicited donations through a website in which HSRF falsely claims to be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and represents that “(a)ll of our donations go towards food, clothing, supplies, aid in rescue and cleanup efforts, and the future rebuilding of communities and lives destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.”  As of last month, the organization had raised more than $631,000 in monetary donations from at least 1,999 persons – but has disbursed less than one percent of that amount to Sandy-related causes, according to records obtained by the State.

The State’s lawsuit, filed in Bergen County Superior Court by the Division of Law, accuses the defendants of multiple violations of New Jersey’s Charitable Registration and Investigation (CRI) Act, Charities Regulations, Consumer Fraud Act, and Nonprofit Corporation Act.  The State asks the Court to order the defendants to stop soliciting donations, shut down their website, disgorge and repay all funds and property acquired by violating the law, and pay full civil penalties for every violation, among other relief.  Under the CRI Act and Consumer Fraud Act, a first violation is subject to a civil penalty of up to $10,000, and subsequent violations are subject to penalties of up to $20,000.  Every solicitation of donations made while HSRF is not registered, and/or made through false or misleading statements, is considered a separate violation.

“The Division of Consumer Affairs identified certain red flags about this purported charity in late December, and immediately commenced an investigative inquiry.  Shortly thereafter, we reached out to this group, told them to provide extensive documentation about their fundraising and activities, and met with HSRF’s operators at our headquarters in Newark to address the myriad concerns we had about their activities,” Acting Director Kanefsky said.  “After a thorough investigation revealed multiple and ongoing violations of state law, we are now taking action to ensure that all of the money donated is used properly, in a manner consistent with the representations made to the public.”

The State’s lawsuit alleges:

Questionable Money Transfers
 
Financial records indicate the defendants have transferred more than $13,000 in public donations, from HSRF’s bank and PayPal accounts, into Sandberg’s and Terracino’s own personal accounts.  Records show that the transfer of HSRF funds into Terracino’s personal bank account made it possible to pay for personal expenses including nearly $8,000 in payments to a credit card company.

Records also revealed that, between November and January, the defendants paid a total of more than $4,500 from HSRF’s bank account to merchants such as the Apple Online Store, the Vivo Tapas Lounge in Newark and other restaurants, two supermarkets, Christmas Tree Shops, and a home heating oil delivery service in the Sparta area where Sandberg and Terraccino reside.  The defendants also transferred more than $3,000 from HSRF’s PayPal account to “Jezel Yepez,” an alias for Anthony Yepez, despite the defendants’ representations to the Division that he was a “volunteer” for the organization.

Despite these payments, the defendants in February applied for State registration as a charity – and claimed in their application that HSRF does not provide any compensation to its officers, directors, trustees, or executive staff.  Their application also allegedly under-reported the amount HSRF had raised, by approximately $39,000.

Deceptive Claims to Donors

The State’s Verified Complaint also notes that, though HSRF claims all donations provide “immediate” relief to Sandy victims, the group has only given out $1,650 in gift cards during the three and a half months of its existence – an amount representing less than one percent of the $631,000 HSRF has raised in donations.

Furthermore, the State notes that HSRF has not obtained 501(c)(3) status from the IRS, despite indicating on HSRF’s website, Facebook, and/or Twitter pages that the organization has 501(c)(3) status, thus misleading the public by stating donations to HSRF are tax-deductible.

Using Another Charity’s Name to Solicit Funds

The “Donations” portion of the HSRF website includes a page titled “Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund,” which states that “Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund donations go towards cleanup efforts, and the future rebuilding of communities and lives destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.”

In reality, however, the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund, Inc. is the name of a separate charitable organization that is entirely unaffiliated with HSRF.  Unlike HSRF, the actual Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund is duly registered with the Division of Consumer Affairs to solicit charitable donations in New Jersey, and is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

The portion of the HSRF website that references the “Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund” includes a link to a January 14 Star-Ledger article about an event in which that organization donated winter clothing to hundreds of Sandy victims.  The State’s lawsuit notes that HSRF was not involved in that event, and the article’s inclusion on HSRF’s website creates the mistaken impression that the two groups are related.

That same “Donations” page on the HSRF website includes a PayPal link that encourages donors to make monetary contributions online.  However, all contributions made via the PayPal link go to HSRF, not the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.

Deceptive Reference to Corporate “Sponsors”

The HSRF website identifies “sponsors” including Hanes Brands and CSX Corporation.  The Division of Consumer Affairs contacted both businesses, and learned that neither Hanes nor CSX has an actual relationship with HSRF or had authorized HSRF to use the corporation’s names and logos.

A Hanes representative stated the company attempted to contact HSRF and ask why the organization’s website uses the Hanes logo.  A CSX representative noted that CSX had explicitly instructed HSRF to remove the corporation’s logo from its website, and that its continued use of the CSX logo would constitute willful trademark infringement.

Failure to Register as a Charity

Under New Jersey’s CRI Act, all organizations that solicit charitable donations in the State must register with the Division of the Consumer Affairs, and re-register annually.  Registered charities must provide detailed information about their operations and fundraising activities. They must detail the charity’s annual income and expenses, including the amount spent each year on actual charitable programs, as opposed to the amount spent on fundraising or management costs.

Certain religious and educational organizations, and charities that raise less than $10,000 in public donations during a fiscal year, are exempt from the registration requirement.  The State’s complaint notes that HSRF is not an exempt organization, although by January 15, 2013 it had collected at least $631,000 in donations.

The Division of Consumer Affairs encouraged the defendants to register as a charity with the Division’s Charities Registration Section.  After operating for more than two months without even attempting to register, the defendants submitted an incorrect and incomplete registration form on January 4. A Division representative then contacted the defendants again, and directed them to the Division’s website for the correct form as well as instructions and additional information on how to apply for registration.  The defendants on February 8 submitted a registration statement that was incomplete and contained inaccurate information, including the alleged under-reporting of the charity’s income by nearly $39,000.

The Division notified HSRF of the deficiencies in its latest application form, but the organization to date has failed to respond.

The State’s lawsuit notes that HSRF’s solicitation of funds, while it is not registered, constitutes an ongoing violation of the CRI Act and Charities Regulations, and prevents potential donors from being able to obtain clear and accurate information about the organization’s activities.

Chief Investigator Laurie Goodman, of the Division of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Consumer Protection, conducted this investigation.  Deputy Attorney General Lorraine Rak, Chief of the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section, and Deputy Attorney General Kourtney J. A. Knop represent the State in this action.

Consumers: “Investigate Before You Donate”

The Division of Consumer Affairs, through its “Investigate Before You Donate” campaign, encourages New Jersey consumers to learn as much as possible about any charity before deciding to make a donation. Consumers should:

• Find out whether the charity is registered in New Jersey, or is exempt from having to register. (Certain religious and educational organizations, and charities whose annual income includes less than $10,000 in public contributions and fundraising, are exempt from having to register with the State.)

• Find out how much the charity spent during recent fiscal years on program costs, management costs, and fundraising.

• Learn about the charity’s stated mission.

Consumers may obtain information about a charity in several ways. They can ask the charity itself (reputable charities encourage you to do so), or visit the charity’s website.

Consumers can also obtain this information from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Visit the Division’s Charities Registration page; call the Division’s Charities Hotline at 973-504-6215 during regular business hours; or use the Division’s free “New Jersey Charity Search” smartphone app.

Consumers who believe they have been cheated or scammed by a business, or suspect any other form of consumer abuse, can file a complaint with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs by visiting its website or by calling 1-800-242-5846 (toll free within New Jersey) or 973-504-6200.

Follow the Division of Consumer Affairs on Facebook, and check our online calendar of upcoming Consumer Outreach events.