NY AG says he’s watching Sandy aid spending closely

New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said Thursday that his office would be vigilant in ensuring that about $575 million in Hurricane Sandy aid would reach victims and be spent appropriately.

“We have been dogged about making sure that when they raise money and tell the world they are going to spend it on Sandy recovery, they in fact spend it on Sandy recovery,” Schneiderman said, speaking at a shuttered Long Island home.

Schneiderman’s announcement is part of increased scrutiny into charities that have raised money to help victims of the storm, the Wall Street Journal reported. Charities continue to ramp up funds for the cause — the American Red Cross, for example, pledged an additional $6 million, bringing its total commitment to $308 million – according to the Journal. The new money will help victims move to new homes.

Of the $648 million promised to New York City by the federal government for Hurricane Sandy-related repairs and prevention, only one local person had actually received aid as of this week. [WSJ] — Hiten Samtani