SPARTA – The Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation (HSRF), housed in an office building in Sparta, has come under heavy scrutiny after alledgedly raising charitable donations without a license. No charges have been filed against it, however.
"We will say that our goal from day one and still now is to help Sandy victims.” an HSRF spokesman said in an internet chat with The Sparta Independent.
Written on the HSRF website: “The HSRF was established to raise awareness, organize volunteer service efforts, and extend relief to Sandy victims. All of our donations go towards food, clothing, supplies, aid in rescue and clean up efforts, and the future rebuilding of communities and lives destroyed by Hurricane Sandy.”
The website is still on line and can be seen at Sandyrelief.org,
But the organization has yet to register as a licensed charity in New Jersey, according to Eric T. Kanefsky, Acting Director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
Under investigation
“The State Division of Consumer Affairs commenced its investigation of the Hurricane Sandy Relief Foundation in December 2012, after Division staff identified that this group was raising significant money in the name of Sandy victims, but was not registered with the state as a charitable organization,” Kanefsky said.
"At the moment we cannot speak on the current information that has be released, soon the matter will be addressed," a representative said during the online chat.
The representative said he expected the charity to release a statement about the charity in the next few days.
The Sparta Independent could not independently verify whether victims of the hurricane received funds, goods or services donated through the site.
Until February of this year, the person listed as the registered owner of sandyrelief.org was John Sandberg, of Central Avenue in Wyckoff.
Calls to the Sandbergs' home in Wyckoff, which was also listed in the website’s registry information, revealed the number there is disconnected.
Spokesman Jeffrey Lamm of the Division of Consumer Affairs said Sandberg met with officials in their Newark office on Jan. 10, and officials have been in contact with him since then.
The investigation into Sandberg and his charity is ongoing, Lamm said. "Things are still status quo," he said.
A warehouse worker at 564 Lafayette Road said that he was aware of Sandberg and knew him by name, but did not know anything about the workings of the organization.
The warehouse is currently owned by the California-based company Dataprint, according to county property records.
Dataprint personnel, including Warehouse Manager Howard Baker, Manager Dean Brown and President Ida Charlip all refused to comment about the questions surrounding the charity.
Corporate sponsorship
The website also listed major U.S. corporations as sponsors, including Hanes, CSX and Google.
The rail transit company CSX distanced itself from the charity.
"CSX provided in-kind transportation of goods donated to the organization," CSX Spokesman Gary Sease said in an email. "We are not a direct sponsor, however, and the organization has agreed to remove our logo."
Responding to an initial newspaper report in the Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa issued a strong statement promising oversight of charities following the storm.
"New Jersey has seen a proliferation of organizations that claim to solicit funds to benefit those who faced losses as a result of Hurricane Sandy," Chiesa said. "The Division of Consumer Affairs is reaching out to each of these, to ensure they are aware of the requirements state law places on charities, to ensure their honesty and integrity. Make no mistake: In addition to outreach, we are investigating to identify any so-called charity that deceives the public. We will use the State's full power to put uncharitable profiteers out of business."
Among other requirements under the state law, all charities that solicit funds in New Jersey must register with the Division of Consumer Affairs, and re-register annually, unless specifically exempted by the statute, Chiesa said.
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, he said.
The charity's representative promised a response to these and other questions is forthcoming.