A Queens Councilman is urging US Attorney Preet Bharara to launch a probe into massive cost overruns on the city’s program to rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy.
It was revealed last week the cost of the Build it Back program has ballooned by $500 million, from $1.7 billion to $2.2 billion.
Taxpayers are on the hook for the overruns.
“I write today to respectfully request that your office commence an investigation into the misuse of federal funds awarded to the City of New York to rebuild homes in communities still recovering from Hurricane Sandy,” Councilman Eric Ulrich said in a letter sent Monday to Bharara.
“As an elected official who represents several communities severely impacted by the storm, I am absolutely appalled by these figures given the small number of homes Build It Back has elevated or repaired to date.”
Ulrich, a Republican who has toyed with running for mayor, represents portions of the Rockaway peninsula and Howard Beach.
The Build It Back program, started by former Mayor Bloomberg and continued by de Blasio, has come under a firestorm of criticism for delays.
Mayoral spokeswoman Melissa Grace called Ulrich’s request for an investigation a “cheap” political stunt.
“We are working hard to rebuild long-standing communities and create resilient neighborhoods. New Yorkers need the City’s leaders to work together, not cheap political stunts like this that hurt communities.”