(Source: nj.com) TRENTON — A Toms River man who received more than $218,000 in Hurricane Sandy relief aid has admitted to filing fraudulent applications for funding from government-run storm recovery programs, authorities said.

Gregory Wagner, 63, pleaded guilty in state Superior Court on Monday to third-degree theft by deception, according to the New Jersey Attorney General's Office.

Wagner claimed a storm-damaged rental property he owned in the Bayville section of Berkeley Township was his primary residence when Sandy hit, authorities said, which made him eligible to receive money through several state and federal programs.

The Toms River resident received $218,209 in total, the bulk of which came from a state-run housing grant program.

"Wagner lied repeatedly on applications for Sandy relief," acting state Attorney General John Hoffman said in a statement.  "He knew this critical aid was not meant for owners of income properties, yet he selfishly stole over $200,000 that should have gone to people left homeless by this catastrophic storm."