Staten Island D.A. Promises FEMA Overhaul To Sandy Victims If Elected To Congress
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Following allegations of insurance fraud against victims of Superstorm Sandy, a congressional hopeful in New York is calling for a full overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
State Island District Attorney Dan Donovan is promising that if elected, he will spearhead comprehensive reform at FEMA.
The congressional candidate said the federal government made life for Sandy victims even worse, 1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck reported.
"Sadly we on Staten Island know all to well about helping each other after a disaster," Donovan said. "But the government has failed us."
And more than two and a half years after the storm, life for many on Staten Island is still a nightmare.
Over on Mayberry Promenade, Rowland Beltran still can't live in his home.
"Right now, we're not doing to well," he said. "My house needs extensive repairs and we've gotten help from various Christian churches, from the Red Cross. But now I've been told recently, after all the work that's been done from volunteers, that my house is scheduled for elevation. It's devastating to us."
Donovan spent Wednesday morning talking to residents in the area, apologizing for the government's behavior and insisting he can streamline FEMA's process.
Donovan is running on the Republican Party ticket for Michael Grimm's empty congressional seat.
Grimm announced his resignation following a guilty plea on tax evasion charges.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo set the special election date for May 5.