Superstorm Sandy Contractor Convicted Of Fraud

OCEAN COUNTY – Another Superstorm Sandy fraudster has been convicted.

Che W. Smith, 47, of Berne, New York, was convicted of third-degree theft on June 8 in a bench trial before Judge James M. Blaney J.S.C.

Smith was paid more than $76,000 to remediate a Tuckerton home damaged by the 2012 hurricane. He was accused of performing minimal work on the home and misappropriating nearly $70,000. The investigation was led by Det. James Conroy of the OCPO Economic Crimes Unit.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said Smith is tentatively scheduled to be sentenced next month.