El fiscal del condado de Ocean, Bradley D.. Billhimer anunció que en diciembre 10, 2024, Daniel Santaniello, 46, del municipio de ladrillo, pled guilty to Theft before the Honorable Guy P. ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with his former position as Director of Recreation for the Township of Brick. En el momento de su sentencia en enero 31, 2025, el Estado buscará un plazo de 180 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of Probation. Santaniello was required to resign from his position with Brick Township and forfeit any and all future public employment. Santaniello has paid full restitution in the amount of approximately $9,260.00.
This charge is the result of a joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Departamento de policía del municipio de Brick, Brick Township Police Department Internal Affairs Unit, and Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau. The investigation revealed that in his position as Director of Recreation, Santaniello was responsible for issuing permits to private organizations for utilizing the township’s recreational facilities, including the township’s various softball fields. Private organizations wishing to utilize the fields were charged fees for their usage. The investigation further revealed that Santaniello required certain organizations wishing to utilize the township’s fields to pay him directly in cash, rather than issuing checks to the township. Instead of depositing the cash into the township’s accounts, Santaniello kept the monies for himself. In order to conceal his theft, Santaniello provided the private organizations who paid him in cash with fraudulent permits.
En julio 17, 2024, Santaniello was taken into custody at his residence without incident by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Brick Township Police Department. He was processed and served with the charges via summons pending upcoming appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
El Fiscal Billhimer reconoce los esfuerzos diligentes del Fiscal Adjunto Principal Christopher Heisler, quien está manejando el caso en nombre del Estado., and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad as well as the Brick Township Police Department, Brick Township Police Department Internal Affairs Unit, and Brick Township Police Department Detective Bureau, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Santaniello’s guilty plea.