The operators of Ocean County Search and Rescue in Lakewood head to court, accused of using the Superstorm and FEMA as the hook to float a $75,000 loan.

David Faria and Chaim Gottlieb
David Faria and Chaim Gottlieb (Ocean County Prosecutor's Office)
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David Faria, 42, and Chaim Gottleib, 42, of Lakewood, are charged with theft by deception, theft, and falsifying records, according to information from the office of Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Investigators allege that the pair concocted their own approval for a $150,000 grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and brought it to officers of OceanFirst Bank in search of a loan. Authorities say that they planned to buy two Fords for their business.

FEMA officials confirmed that the letter was false, and that neither of them was awarded any money.

Bail for each was set at $25,000, with no option for release on payment of 10 percent. At this writing, Faria remained in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River while Gottlieb has paid bail.

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