Ocean County Prosecutor Brad Billhimer announced that Daniel Santaniello, 46, of Brick Township, pled guilty to theft today before Judge Guy P. Ryan in Ocean County Superior Court. Santaniello, the former Director of Recreation for Brick Township, admitted to misappropriating township funds during his tenure.
At his sentencing, scheduled for January 31, the State will recommend a sentence of 180 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation. Santaniello has already resigned from his position, forfeited his eligibility for future public employment, and paid restitution totaling approximately $9,260.
The guilty plea follows an extensive investigation which uncovered that Santaniello exploited his role as Director of Recreation, where he oversaw permits for private organizations seeking to use township recreational facilities, such as softball fields.
According to the investigation, Santaniello required certain organizations to pay him directly in cash instead of issuing checks to the township. He then pocketed the cash rather than depositing it into municipal accounts. To cover up the theft, Santaniello issued fraudulent permits to the organizations that paid him.
Santaniello was apprehended at his Brick Township home without incident on July 17 by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and the Brick Township Police Department. He was charged and processed, with court proceedings commencing shortly thereafter.
“Public trust is at the core of effective governance, and actions like these erode that trust,” Prosecutor Billhimer said in a statement. “Thanks to the diligent work of the investigators, justice is being served.”