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DA: Contractor Doctored Hempstead Town Mailings

A weekly look-in at news from around the Town of Hempstead.

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice announced Tuesday that an Oceanside contractor has been charged after he doctored an official Town of Hempstead mailing to portray himself as uniquely authorized to expedite building permits and then mailed the letter to nearly 2,000 flood-ravaged homes in Oceanside.

Mark Rauch, 63, was arrested this morning by DA Investigators and charged with felony counts of forgery in the second degree and criminal possession of a forged instrument in the second degree, Rice said. He faces up to seven years in prison if convicted.

Rice said that on Nov. 26, the DA’s Office was contacted by Town of Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray and Councilman Anthony Santino, who had heard numerous complaints from Oceanside residents about a letter they had received in the mail.

The letter bore a town seal and contained instructions on how to obtain building permits from the Town of Hempstead Building Department so that homeowners could repair damage to their homes caused by Hurricane Sandy, Rice said.

A similar letter had been hand-delivered to Oceanside residents by the Town before Thanksgiving, but this particular mailing also included the contact information for My Expediter LLC, a company owned and operated by Rauch, Rice said.

The doctored letter implied that Rauch’s expediting service, and its $499 price tag, was either necessary to obtain building permits or that it was approved by the Town to expedite the permit process. Neither is true, Rice said.

The investigation, conducted in conjunction with the United States Postal Inspection Service, revealed that Rauch spent approximately $275 to have the letters delivered to 1,903 Oceanside homes on or about Nov. 23. At the time of Rauch’s mailing, the Town of Hempstead had waived all building permit fees relating to home repair as a result of Sandy in Oceanside.

“Over the last few weeks, we have seen the strength of Nassau County in every home being repaired, ever donation being dropped off, and every community banding together to rebuild,” Rice said. “Unfortunately, there are also scam artists looking to capitalize on the devastation to make a quick buck. Thanks to the people of Oceanside, however, and the quick work of the Town of Hempstead, US Postal Inspection Service, and members of my office, this con man was caught immediately.”

Murray, Santino Propose Waiving of Penalties for Premature Withdrawals for Hurricane Repairs

Supervisor Kate Murray and Sr. Councilman Anthony Santino have proposed that federal legislation be passed waiving penalty fees for premature IRA withdrawal for homeowners seeking to make house repairs in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. The officials also called upon federal representatives to strike down premature withdrawal penalties on other deferred payment investments such as 401K plans.

Although FEMA is administering reimbursements to pay for some damage expenses as well as administering the STEP Home Repair Program, homeowners and businesses may need to initially lay out money for the cost of necessary repairs. At the same time, many Americans have money invested in Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) and other deferred payment investments, however, penalties are imposed for premature withdrawal.

Under these dire circumstances, the town said residents need access to their capital, without penalty. For example, if a homeowner needed access to money for a new roof, they would pay a 10 percent penalty for withdrawing the needed funds from their IRA. And, that’s in addition to a $40 administrative fee penalty that is charged by some financial institutions.

Murray and Santino called upon U.S. Senator Charles Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, U.S. Congressman Peter King and U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy to propose such legislation and to advocate on behalf of the thousands of families and businesses who are struggling to rebuild their homes and their lives.

Additionally, the town officials requested that federal legislators consider a measure that would implement five-year income averaging for income tax purposes. Such a measure would mitigate the income tax implications of a one-year spike in income associated with a large withdrawal from deferred payment plans that would be utilized for Sandy repairs.
Eddie December 9, 2012 at 08:17 am
The FEMA grants aren't available to everyone. If you worked hard, make a good living and saved your money, you'll get nothing. If you spent your dollars on new cars, entertainment and drinking and have nothing in the bank, FEMA will give you more.
Jo-Anne December 9, 2012 at 08:41 am
i know of people with lots of money who got grants early on in this disaster. i got less than they did. however, grants, by definition are supposed to be according to need, not want. we all want help in this recovery, don't we?
The real bear December 9, 2012 at 03:53 pm
Eddie, it must be great to know everybody's situation. Also they are available to everybody.
VL December 9, 2012 at 09:06 pm
Too bad it is only seven years.
Robert Demarco December 10, 2012 at 01:16 pm
If it had Murray's picture it would have looked more realistic.
BigIdeas December 10, 2012 at 05:07 pm
Isn't that a picture of Murray?
Robert Demarco December 10, 2012 at 05:40 pm
I heard that the letter had the TOH seal, not the picture.
Constance Roland December 10, 2012 at 10:01 pm
I find it irritating that liensed contractors "good standing" status cannot be checked online on Nassau County's website. Professions licensed by the state (medical, legal, etc.) are all subject to online verification, so there is absolutely no privacy argument to make. Instead, consumers are left to the business hour limitations of Nassau County government and are directed to call the county Office of Consumer Affairs to check the licensure of a given contractor. At this juncture, this is the only protection available, I've already written to Mangano, and invite you to do the same, so license checks can be had online by Nassau County residents at any time, during your investigations as to who to use for contractors. The county links are below:
http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/OCA/Licensing/License/who.html For more information (516) 571-3871
Constance Roland December 10, 2012 at 10:03 pm
The following list shows the types of licenses of various home improvement contractors:
Home Improvement is a broad term that includes, but is not limited to the following areas of work: •air conditioning & heating systems •carpentry work •ceramic tile & marble installers •cesspool builders & cleaners •chimney/fireplace builders, repairs, cleaners •doors, windows, awnings •dry wall contractors •fences and railings •fire escape stairs & ladders •floor installation & refinishing (including sub-floors) •garage builders •general contractors •insulation contractors •lawn irrigation contractors •masonry work •painting contractors •paving and driveway seal coating •power washers & sandblasters •reglazing/porcelain refinishing •retaining wall contractors •roofing contractors •sewer cleaners •siding installation •swimming pool (building, installing and maintenance) •tree surgery •vacuum cleaner central systems •waterproofing •well drilling As always, caveat emptor, or Buyer Beware.
Brent M. December 11, 2012 at 12:49 am
Surprised KATE MURRAY wasnt getting her picture taken with the officer who put the cuffs on that Fool!!! Its a great photo op.. she must have been busy helping out Roosevelt School District.. YEAH RIGHT!!!

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Eddie June 16, 2013 at 09:53 pm
Because the Democrats fired all the engineers in City government and replaced them with politicalRead More friends.
Eugene Torres June 17, 2013 at 07:57 am
Heron St is like a bombed out war zone. Many of the residents drive the wrong way to avoid theRead More potholes at the beginning of the street.
joe June 17, 2013 at 08:37 pm
Oh Brother.............she made a comment and everyone jumped on her......Eddie, try jumping offRead More that computer chair you park yourself on everyday and do something that matters..........instead of commenting on everything that anyone posts on patch. A man of many comments but no solutions !
AEA President June 17, 2013 at 09:18 pm
It is so ON!!
Solomon Wasserman June 17, 2013 at 09:24 pm
The city has made a conscious effort in choosing deciduous or coniferous trees for the propagationRead More of the taxpayers money. It is well known that these trees cannot stand the burden that is placed upon them. Then they tell us that we cannot plant bamboo, which is very hardy! Why does this city not want us to have vegetation? Do they want us to resemble a barren wasteland? What is the real reason for the outlawing of bamboo? These people do not want us to think for ourselves. They think we are stupid idiots. Join me in planting bamboo in place of these dead trees. We will protest the tyranny of tis city against practitioners of botany.
RackEmUp Gomez June 15, 2013 at 07:36 pm
I do not have a job for you but the fcat that you are industrious enough to post here indicates toRead More me that you would be a good employee.
tcatrainer June 16, 2013 at 04:15 pm
Look for seasonal summer jobs. Ticket takers at the beach. Depending how old they are, the movingRead More industry is in their busy time in the summer and the pay is pretty good when you factor in the tips.
jacqueline gay June 16, 2013 at 08:06 pm
Thank you for your comments... still looking
Susie Pennachio June 15, 2013 at 09:13 am
yeeeepppp i always see people trying to get thru it or go around it to get onto the beach
Jaime Sumersille (Editor) June 15, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Thanks for the notice, Ally! I posted this on Facebook to make people aware! - Jaime Sumersille,Read More Regional Editor, Nassau County
RackEmUp Gomez June 14, 2013 at 03:55 pm
Those murderers from Boston were students, right? How about importing some kids from Brooklyn thatRead More need help? Lets stop being patsys.
Eddie June 14, 2013 at 07:55 pm
More Patch Spam. Look up any charity on GuideStar and see their tax return. Then you can decide ifRead More you want to support their executives with your contributions.
Eddie June 13, 2013 at 05:45 pm
Sure, John, and the NSA will reply in a speedy fashion.
Me June 13, 2013 at 08:49 pm
What would be the basis for that demand? The govt only has to turn over exculpatory evidence orRead More evidence it intends to use against a defendant and as far as I know in a civil matter (especially divorce) the govt is generally not a party to the action so how would they be compelled to do so?
kevin June 14, 2013 at 04:38 am
Oh oh. I hope some of these attorneys don't snoop around my phone records cause I'm banging theRead More wives of 3 different attorneys and a handful of scumbag politician wives also.i hate politicians !!
oceanview June 14, 2013 at 10:43 am
Did Grace Industries have the contract for the firehouse in the west end?
Eddie June 14, 2013 at 01:27 pm
What is puzzling is a contract that carries no line-item pricing and FEMA legislation that requiresRead More line-item price specifications for reimbursement. I suppose the City/contractor will have to provide this later.
RackEmUp Gomez June 17, 2013 at 11:36 pm
How about the THOUSANDS of illegal apartments being rebuilt with FEDERAL money? Who gives a ratsRead More ass about the boardwalk? Lets get the multi-millions in untaxed cash from these thieving landlords.
RackEmUp Gomez June 14, 2013 at 05:55 pm
I dont agree with all or even most of Harveys politics but there is NO doubt that he is one theRead More greatest benefactors to Long Beach in its history.......maybe THE greatest. When he is gone the Tea Party scumbags that want to kill the sandy Bill in 2014 and also send your flood insurance off the charts will have one less voice speaking out against it.
LI Resistance June 16, 2013 at 09:17 pm
When Harvey is gone we will have less wasted money from the tax payers. Harvey is our benefactorRead More using our own tax money you idiots.
anonymous June 17, 2013 at 01:54 am
You guys still don't get it...yes...Harvey brings back "our" money. But why are he and theRead More rest of the politicians taking it in the first place? These politicians have you so bamboozled that as they bleed us dry you thank them for the privilege of doing it. All they have to do is say "it's for the children" and you take leave of your brains. Unbelievable...
RackEmUp Gomez June 14, 2013 at 09:16 pm
If one of the 17 was your son you may not be so flippant , you moron.
oceanview June 13, 2013 at 11:26 am
Who let these people run the shelter. They looked like con artists right from the start.
andy napolitano June 13, 2013 at 01:16 pm
@BSM if you read the post you would see it tells you to go to a Facebook site called Rescue Ink =Read More The Facts. On this site there is a copy of Rescue Inks's 2011 tax form which is public information. It shows right on that tax form how they only paid 6% of their income for the animals. Also it is in the contract (also public information) with the City Of Long Beach, that Rescue Ink is just "running" the shelter. The building is owned & maintained by the City which also pays all utilities & vet bills. You should do a little research yourself before you question us. We could never put up these "facts" unless they were true.
andy napolitano June 13, 2013 at 06:44 pm
What is the AEA stand for?
Eddie June 12, 2013 at 08:31 pm
Why not ask National Grid to charge me for a Hep Wanted ad for you too?
Kat June 13, 2013 at 03:01 pm
YAh glad you are coming back!!!!
Michael Ganci (Editor) June 12, 2013 at 08:43 am
You should post this on our yard sale community map!Read More http://longbeach.patch.com/groups/summer/p/holding-a-yard-sale-in-long-beach-add-it-to-our-map_f8d3eba9
Eddie June 12, 2013 at 10:13 am
Is that the $7,000,000 recreation hall for the volunteer firemen? They should be ashamed.Read More Whatever credibility they had is lost now. How about voting to eliminate the vipers and contract with Long Beach? Imagine the savings on your tax bill?
Tideline June 12, 2013 at 05:43 pm
I have heard the Lido Beach Fire House referred to as a social/drinking club for Jewish guys.Read More Everyone is broke, let them make due like eveyone else is trying to do. The Tax Payers should not be stuck with this. Sell one of the Fire District properties in Pt Lookout, problem solved.
Jack Kett June 12, 2013 at 06:00 pm
Yes Lido and Point Lookout should contract to Long Beach for fire service -it would be cheaper- butRead More how is it done? what neds to be proposed? Does Hempstead Council get involved or Nassau County? Lets start the ball running on this.
Dr. Kim Lurie June 12, 2013 at 12:45 pm
Eddie, I received a note that you commented but I don't see it here..did you delete it? In anyRead More event, my response... "Since your landlord is a huge supporter of the Long Beach Democrats, you'll get nothing, and he'll continue placing Section 8 in his slum. Bet I know who you voted for too. Oh well." Didn't know my landlords were huge supporters and I'm sure they do continue placing Section 8 prostitutes, drug addicts and felons in their houses, as it sure seemed that way with my neighbor who assaulted the other tenants and they knew about and did nothing. But as to "I'll get nothing"...already got that covered..didn't sue in Small claims court Long Beach....figured the politics already...sued in Nassau county for a sum that includes the treble damages for their theft, and other issues. And....the law is completely on my side so very prepared.