Ritacco Sentencing Now Scheduled for September

Awaiting punishment after pleading guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy, former Superintendent Michael Ritacco has a new sentencing date, now rescheduled for Sept. 14.

The sentencing of the former Toms River Regional was originally scheduled for July 12, before U.S. District Court Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton. But, in June, it was postponed.

Now Pisano is scheduled to sentence Ritacco at a 10 a.m. Sept. 14 in Trenton federal court. The new sentencing date was made Aug. 8, according to court documents. The Sept. 14 sentencing will be in Courtroom 1.

Ritacco pleaded guity April 5 to two of the 27 charges he was facing, and admitted his role in years of corruption at the school district, where as much as $2.5 million in bribes were allegedly passed between Ritacco, insurance brokers and intermediaries.

He pleaded guilty to mail fraud and conspiracy to impede the IRS. Ritacco could face 11 to 14 years jail time, according to sentencing guidelines.

As part of the plea Ritacco will forfeit $1 million dollars, his 2010 Mercedes e550, and $8,960 from his home found as part of an FBI raid.