A Staten Island homeowner was arrested yesterday for allegedly sexually assaulting a FEMA inspector who was checking his house for storm damage, law-enforcement sources said.
The inspector, a 49-year-old working for the government-contracting firm PB Disaster Services, had knocked on Robert Langshultz’s door in the Sandy-battered Midland Beach section on Monday afternoon.
Langshultz, of 895 Father Capodano Blvd., then allegedly pounced on the woman.
He allegedly threw her against a wall, tried to kiss her and grabbed her breasts and buttocks. The woman broke free and later informed police, the sources said.
The Staten Island Special Victims Unit picked up Langshultz, who is a contractor, early yesterday morning.
Langshultz, a 53-year-old contractor, was charged with sexual abuse and forcible touching. His arraignment is pending.
“Unbelievable! It’s really ridiculous,” said a woman who identified herself as his sister. “My brother lost everything. He didn’t have nothing left.”
His neighbors were shocked by the news.
“He’s a great guy. Terrific, actually,” said one neighbor, who asked not to be named.
“He’s a hard worker. He gets up at 4:30 in the morning everyday to go to work. He’s been dealing with the flood for the last two weeks,” he added.
PB Disasters, a subsidiary of construction giant Parsons Brinckerhoff, referred calls to FEMA.
The corporate spokeswoman was unaware of what the firm’s policies are on sending unaccompanied inspectors into people’s homes. FEMA didn’t return a call for comment.
After natural disasters, PB Disaster Services deploys armies of construction, real estate and appraisal professionals to assess damages for FEMA and other government agencies.