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HANDLIN CRAFTING PLAN TO STOP STORM SCAMMERS

ASSEMBLYWOMAN PROPOSES  DOUBLING CONSUMER FRAUD FINES FOLLOWING A NATURAL DISASTER

 

While remaining vigilant against post-Hurricane Sandy scams, Assemblywoman  Amy H. Handlin is drafting legislation that would double the fines against those  who commit fraud after natural disasters, while working with residents and state  and local officials on preventing storm scams before they happen.

 

“It takes a special kind of deviant to prey upon those who have  tragically lost their home and possessions. They deserve a double dose of  penalty,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “I’ve already heard from many constituents  who have been targeted by storm scammers who claim to be mold remediators,  contractors or financial advisers. We need to deliver a strong message that  attempting to steal from storm victims will carry severe penalties.”

 

Constituents who suspect fraud or corruption, or have evidence of waste  or abuse of public funds, should contact Assemblywoman Handlin’s office at (732) 787-1170 or [email protected]. The  Assemblywoman will forward incidents to the proper state and local authorities  and wants to monitor potential fraud to see if any patterns emerge.

 

“Federal funding to help New  Jersey recover will soon be approved and we need to be  extra vigilant against unscrupulous schemes that would re-victimize innocent  people who have already suffered too much,” Handlin said. “If we keep everyone  informed and work together we can ensure that this relief funding doesn’t wind  up like the old school construction program in which billions of dollars  disappeared in a cloud of waste, fraud and abuse.”

 

Handlin’s legislation would double maximum consumer fraud penalties to  $20,000 for a first offense and $40,000 subsequent offenses if the victim had  also been victimized by a natural disaster. The penalties mirror stiffer fines  imposed against senior citizens. The proposal would also apply consumer fraud  penalties to an unlicensed person who offers to perform a service that requires  a license, such as mold remediation.

 

Handlin’s district includes some of the communities hardest hit by  Hurricane Sandy.

 

Posted: January 28th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Amy Handlin, Hurricane Sandy, Press Release | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »

HANDLIN: COMPTROLLER’S REPORT ON COMMUNITY COLLEGE PERKS FOR PRESIDENTS A GOOD START

Assembly Deputy Republican Leader Amy Handlin, R-Monmouth, was pleased to learn of today’s report issued by State Comptroller Matthew Boxer, which evaluated salaries and other forms of compensation given to New Jersey’s 19 county college presidents.

 

            Handlin had expressed her concerns in a letter to Boxer dated April 25, 2011, after the resignations of two county college presidents amid accusations of fiscal impropriety that triggered criminal investigations.

 

            “Today’s report indicates that last year’s accounts of fiscal impropriety and the exorbitant perks some county college presidents receive warranted a closer look at what taxpayers and students are paying for,” said Handlin. “Establishing more transparency for the public to know the perks and level of compensation that is awarded should be helpful in ensuring there are not wide discrepancies between colleges, unless there is some justification. The public has an absolute right to know how much a president is being paid for housing, bonuses, pension contributions that exceed the minimum requirement and reimbursement for personal expenses.

 

            “The cost of tuition at all colleges is high, regardless if it’s at the public or private university level or at community colleges,” said Handlin. “I support the recommendation for establishing guidelines by the State’s Secretary of Higher Education that will serve as a template and basis of comparison for negotiating a fair compensation package. Transparency will serve the dual purpose of giving college boards useful information as they negotiate with prospective candidates as well as keeping the public informed on how their tax dollars are being spent.”

 

            Boxer’s report, “Compensation Provided to New Jersey Community College Presidents,” indicates that it was based on the “questionable and excessive” compensation paid to someNew Jersey community college presidents. It states that the increased public concern regarding the expenditures made to the presidents of Brookdale and Gloucester County Colleges prompted the review of how taxpayer dollars were being spent in this area of higher education.

Posted: May 30th, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Amy Handlin, Press Release | Tags: , , , , | 1 Comment »
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