Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on October 7, 2025, David T. Schlendorf, 54, of Holladay, Utah, was charged with Theft by Deception and Unauthorized Practice of Law.
The charges are a result of an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau. The investigation revealed that in March of 2025, an individual in Toms River hired Schlendorf to represent him in connection with a legal matter, and that the individual paid Schlendorf approximately $10,000 for his services. The investigation further revealed that Schlendorf misrepresented himself as a licensed attorney. Schlendorf was disbarred in the State of New Jersey in December of 2022.
Schlendorf was taken into custody in Toms River by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Toms River Township Police Department on October 7, 2025. He was transported to the Ocean County Jail where he is currently lodged pending a detention hearing.
“If anyone else has paid Mr. Schlendorf in connection with legal services after December of 2022, I urge you to contact Detective Jason Putkowski of the Toms River Police Department at 732-349-0150, extension 1349, or Sgt. Lindsay Llauget of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-929-2027, extension 3462,” Prosecutor Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Toms River Township Police Department Detective Bureau for their combined and collective efforts relative to this investigation.
The charges referenced above are merely accusations and the press and public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
R.P.C. 3.6(b)(6).