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Governor Christie says now is "not a time for political retribution" against the people of Oklahoma victimized by a powerful tornado. The governor on Wednesday urged lawmakers in Washington to support "swift and immediate" aid to tornado victims, even though Oklahoma's two Republican senators voted against bills sending $60 billion in federal aid to victims of Superstorm Sandy, mostly in New Jersey. Sens. Tom Coburn and James Inhofe were among 36 senators to vote no on the aid package. Christie says two wrongs don't make a right. Christie spoke in Belmar at the official re-opening of the town's boardwalk. The shore town was the first Christie visited after Sandy, landing a helicopter in a sand-strewn street. The borough's 1.3-mile boardwalk was destroyed.
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Authorities have accused a New Jersey man of swindling more than $12,000 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency after Superstorm Sandy. Prosecutors say 51-year-old William Nagle of Sea Bright used the money to pay for 68 nights of lodging even though he could have lived in his third-floor apartment. Prosecutors say Nagle's unit was temporarily uninhabitable after Sandy caused flooding and interrupted utilities to the building. But tenants were allowed back on Dec. 29, 2012. Authorities say Nagle stayed at various hotels between Jan. 14 and March 23. Nagle is charged with theft by deception. His arrest was made by Monmouth County's Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force.
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State officials have seized inventory and demanded records from 29 bars and restaurants from around New Jersey who allegedly sold low-quality products to patrons who thought they were buying premium brands. Dubbed "Operation Swill," the year-long investigation was conducted by the Alcoholic Beverage Control Division. The seizures announced Wednesday were done with the assistance of the state's Criminal Justice Division. In Middlesex County, targeted locations were the Brunswick Grove in East Brunswick, AND the TGI Fridays in Old Bridge, North Brunswick and Piscataway. In Somerset County, it was the Ruby Tuesday in Bridgewater. Officials say the establishments allegedly filled premium brand bottles with non-premium brands in an effort to fool customers and increase their profits. The customer paid for the premium brand, but was instead, unbeknownst to the customer, poured the non-premium brand. The enforcement action was executed by more than 100 state investigators. It stems from citizen complaints, confidential informants, and new technology used to test samples taken covertly from the establishments.
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A Woodbridge man is set to be released on bail after being charged with running a nationwide network that distributed illegal steroids. Richard Gray of Port Reading was charged in federal court with conspiracy to distribute anabolic steroids. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Newark says a routine inspection by Customs and Border Protection agents last month revealed a package from China containing illegal steroids. Agents traced the package to Gray. Prosecutors say a search of his home uncovered about 89,000 pills and thousands of steroids in liquid form. Agents also allegedly found shipping labels, packing materials and Western Union receipts. A judge in Newark allowed the 60-year-old Gray to post $50,000 bail Wednesday.
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