Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on February 18, 2025, Michael Ruvo, 58, of Toms River, pled guilty to Theft by Deception and Tampering with Public Records before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in connection with his former position as the Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer for the Borough of Beachwood. At the time of his sentencing on April 11, 2025, the State will be seeking a term of 364 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation. Ruvo will also be required to forfeit any and all future public employment and make restitution in the amount of $2,800.
The guilty pleas are the result of an investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Standards Unit-Economic Crime Squad. The investigation revealed that from September 2018 through March 2023, Ruvo was employed by the Borough of Beachwood in the position of Code Enforcement/Zoning Officer. In that capacity, Ruvo was responsible for conducting inspections to ensure compliance with various municipal ordinances, initiating legal proceedings against violators of municipal ordinances, and signing off on certificates of occupancy which permitted residences to be occupied. The investigation further revealed that Ruvo engaged in a number of unauthorized transactions wherein he utilized his position to gain unlawful personal benefits.
Specifically, in June 2022, Ruvo issued a code enforcement violation to a property owner on Tiller Avenue. The property owner thereafter contacted Ruvo in his capacity as Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer, advising she had received an estimate to bring the property up to code but was seeking an extension of time to remedy the violation. Ruvo then advised the property owner that he knew of a company that would perform the job for less money than the estimate provided to her, and in a timelier manner. Ruvo instructed the property owner to contact the company – Express Cleanout; investigation revealed that Ruvo was the owner of Express Cleanout and failed to disclose this fact to the property owner. Ruvo’s company then failed to complete the job in full. Despite not completing the work, Ruvo deemed the property to be in compliance in his capacity as Beachwood’s Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer.
Additionally, in March 2022, Ruvo, in his capacity as Code Enforcement Officer/Zoning Officer, signed a certification stating that a property on Compass Avenue in Beachwood was abandoned. Ruvo was aware, however, that there was an occupant in the residence. Ruvo was further aware that the certification would be filed as part of a tax sale foreclosure, and that the foreclosure would proceed in an expedited matter due to his certification.
On September 20, 2023, Ruvo surrendered himself to the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office in the presence of his attorney. He was released on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler who is handling the case on behalf of the State, and commends the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit-Economic Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Squad, Beachwood Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation leading to Ruvo’s guilty pleas.