Informant Vol 10 No 2 - 2013 Spring - National White Collar Crime ...

“When we receive a call, the information is forwardedto me, and then the group reviews the issue to evaluate thesituation and assign the best agency to respond,” said AssistantProsecutor Andrew Fried of the Office’s FinancialCrimes and Public Corruption Bureau, who oversees theTask Force.For some cases, sworn law enforcement officers speakto the accused to persuade them to right the wrong, byeither returning the money or completing the work. TheTask Force closed more than 15 cases without court orlegal process by using this method of law enforcementoutreach. Criminal cases make up 10 to 15 percent of thecomplaints and may require further legal intervention.“We continue to monitor and follow up with each caseto ensure it is properly handled,” Assistant ProsecutorFried said. As of February 5, 2013, 60 cases were openedand more are likely to come in as citizens receive insuranceand Federal Emergency Management Agency monetaryrelief to start rebuilding.Acting Prosecutor Gramiccioni emphasized that thelarge majority of contractors are law-abiding citizens andgood people. This disaster has put residents in a uniquelyvulnerable position, which is not limited to just this area,but may affect any area struck by a disaster.Assistant Prosecutor Fried stated that the biggest challengefor them has been publicity, but they successfully metthis challenge. The Miami-Dade District Attorney’s Officealso emphasized that publicity is key.“Our public information officer has done a great job gettingthe word out about the Task Force,” Acting ProsecutorGramiccioni said. “We had established relationships withthe media, which helped, and we worked with the New JerseyTransit Authority to post free information. We also hadthe support of community groups, elected officials and advertisingagencies that gave us billboard space at a reducedcost.”Members of the Task Force are proactively workingwith municipal governments and media outlets to sharefraud prevention information. The aggressive campaignsupports the message that criminals and fraudsters shouldbe wary of trying to scheme citizens in Monmouth County.The Task Force has a physical location that allows citizensto engage in face-to-face time with Task Force members.Citizens can also contact the Task Force through the websiteat www.sandyfraud.com or the hotline at 1-855-SANDY39.If a disaster should strike in your area, Assistant ProsecutorFried advises it would be best to establish a fraudprevention task force as soon as possible.“Agencies working together can accomplish a lotmore than on our own. It is beneficial to have these partnersso we can enhance the ability to help the people inour community.”Some pre-planning may occur as part of an agency’scontinuity of operations or emergency response plan.However, establishing partnerships and relationshipswith other organizations prior to an event may help expeditethe formation of a fraud task force in response to adisaster.PROSECUTOR'S QFFICE10%The Monmouth County community has suffered great personal lossas a result of Supersronn Sandy. Some lost our homes, and manyothers have had to endure extensive damage to our property.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, Monmouth County residents willturn to Horne Improvement Contractors (HICs) to repair and rebuildtheir storm-damaged properties and the Monmouth CountySuperstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force is here to help. The informationcontained in this brochure is Intended to help you avoid becomingthe victim of unscrupulous contractors or con-artists as thecommunity begins to heal from the wrath of superstomi Sandy.Christopher J. GramiccioniActing Monmouth County ProsecutorThe Monmouth County Prosecutor's OfficeSuperstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force1-(855)-SAN DY39SandyFraud.comWWW.NW3C.ORG 7