New Jersey has sued two state residents, claiming they collected tens of thousands of dollars in donations for a bogus 9/11 charity.

In the lawsuit filed Monday in Superior Court, the New Jersey Attorney General's Office claims 66-year-old Mark Niemczyk of Tinton Falls, N.J. and 40-year-old Thomas Scalgione of Manahawkin, N.J. used the money they raised for their own personal gain. It also alleges that the pair — who both have criminal records — failed to register the charity as required by state law.

See the original story on NBCNewYork.com.

The two men have driven throughout the state in a pickup truck painted with the names of first responders who died in the terrorist attacks. Niemczyk claimed to be an ex-Navy SEAL while he solicited donations.

When NBC 4 New York inadvertently stopped Niemczyk without recognizing him at his apartment complex in Tinton Falls Monday, Niemczyk spoke about himself in the third person.

"Whatever money I know he collects goes out," he said.

New Jersey Attorney General Jeff Chiesa called Niemczyk's act "really reprehensible behavior, preying on the memories of the heroes who responded to the 9/11 tragedy."

Niemczyk's bogus operation was revealed over a year ago in a YouTube video posted by a real ex-SEAL, Don Shipley.

Chiesa is asking the court to impound the truck and order an end to the solicitations.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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