Toms River Schools Finalizing Attorney Contract to Defend Ritacco Lawsuit
Former Superintendent, awaiting trial for bribery charges, suing school board for unpaid benefits
Toms River Regional Schools Board Attorney Thomas Monahan
Robert Millard
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Toms River Regional Schools is finalizing a contract to defend a lawsuit filed by former Superintendent Michael Ritacco, who is suing for unpaid benefits. Ritacco retired amid federal charges of bribery, kickbacks and tax evasion, and is awaiting trial April 3.
Each of the current members of the Toms River Regional School Board, as well as three members whose terms expired in 2011 and board attorney Thomas Monohan, are being sued in the federal lawsuit filed Oct. 25.
Monohan said that several attorneys are being consulted.
"Yes more than one will likely be retained," Monohan said. "At times you can’t always have the same lawyer for all parties. That’s an unfortunate part of the lawsuit filed."
The vote to not pay Ritacco benefits was voted by the 2010-2011 board, but three new members of 2011-2012 are also grouped in the lawsuit. Board member Alex Pavliv said he, Ben Giovine and Loreen Torrone — the three new members — chose to be represented with board members Gus Kakavas, Ed Gearity, Michael A. Jedziniak, John Reuther and Tom Baxter. The firm of Marshall, Denney, Warner et al is representing them, Pavliv said, as well as former board members Linda Garvey and Deena Malik.
Former board member Betty Vasil and current board member Jamie Ann Jubert were seeking representation separately, as they cast the two votes to award Ritacco his benefits, Pavliv said. Monohan is being represented by his law firm's malpractice carrier.
The lawsuit contends Ritacco is due:
- $15,000 in unused sick days.
- $23,750 for 25 unused vacation days from the 2008-09 school year.
- $24,062.50 for 25 unused vacation days from the 2009-10 school year.
- An undisclosed amount of money in a deferred compensation fund, in place since 2010. Ritacco is asking for the money as a lump sum, although his contract would also allow for regular payments.
Toms River Regional Business Administrator Bill Doering on Friday said the contract was being finalized. The next school board meeting is Feb. 20.
joey
12:41 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
If he retired in good standing he should be entitled to the benefits. The fact that he is facing federal charges he should receive nothing..... The FBI dosen't come knocking on your door unless they have something solid. What bothers me is that 325 people are still in this dirt bags corner.... How much will this cost the tax payer.
Laci
2:31 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The 325 in this bull poll is now 338 Yes, but 277 say No and 25 are unsure = 302.
I'd love to see the 338 friends, relatives and school system employees go to APP.com as the article is right there and voice their comments about Mr. Ritaccos upcoming trial April 3rd trial.
Ten to One, with the new requirements to leave a comment, you'll see very few.
Drucillia Demiglia
7:27 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
actually the FBI will come knocking on your door even if it's not solid info,I am sure they have knocked at your door many times !
Dano
1:54 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Bottom line is it's his money. He put his share in just like every other employee and he has every right to get what is owed.
want2say
6:33 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Bottom line is that it is not his money but belongs to the taxpayers he stole from. He committed major crimes against us all, he deserves no reward for his "service".
If it is miraculously proved that he is innocent (which i doubt) then, and only then, he should receive what he is asksing for. (also, he did not put in his share, but he took out way more. does every other employee get to rob from their employer and get paid for having done so??? i don't think so!!!)
.
2:29 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
I wonder how Christie feels about his good buddy Ritacco wanting those unused days. I bet he has nothing to say about that.
suz
8:29 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
What!!?? His buddy?? I think you should do your research before you make such comments.
bayway mike
3:16 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
This P.O.S.(Ritacco) won't simply go away..
It's going to cost the TMRV B.O.E. alot of cash to to defend its decision NOT to pay this BUM!! I'm sure that his complaint will include his lawyers fees to be picked up by the B.O.E. if he wins..Just waiting for the ever-famous 'Out of court settlement' to be released soon..Hey, No Name, you're right. Our Gov will turn a blind eye when Ritacco wants those unused days..
Edward Hotel
3:25 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The there amounts are "only" about $60,000 , just pay and move on. It will cost more to fight it, loose and then pay.
walt tupycia
5:49 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
he stole 2 million?
Mr. ?
10:40 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Joey: "bothers me is that 325 people are still in this dirt bags corner...."
Laci: "I'd love to see the 338 friends, relatives and school system employees.... "
.....I only have your comments and not the current poll results. Is it my correct interpretation from the each of you that "you need to be in the dirt bags CORNER" or "friends, relatives and school employees" to vote that Ritacco should get his money? You don't think that some taxpayers may just want to avert an expensive lawsuit and, at this point, should be paid his money since he is "under indictment" and has not been convicted. If I understand correctly what you stated then, how ignorant the both of you are!! Pathetic!
Securevelope
9:36 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
So lemme get this straight - this guy steals several million, spends it on toys and other luxuries I'm sure, and he wants what he thinks he worked for on top of what he stole?
He's got balls that's for sure. Why doesn't he just consider this lost money earned by theft and leave it be? Either way, he stole our money whether he worked for it or not. I think the spent an awful lot of those "unused" days stealing anyway.
When is the name of that Ritacco Center going to be changed? It's like a fork in my eye every time I pass by.
Tired of the status quo
7:29 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
It has been done. That was done way back in September.
Securevelope
9:49 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
@Tired - glad to know. I'll check next time I passed. I thought I saw his name on there around New Years but I could very well be mistaken.
Mark D
3:36 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
If he wants his money, he should pay back the $2,000,000 he stole from the tax payers first. He's a thief and he deserves NOTHING!
dave
7:02 am on Saturday, January 28, 2012
yes indeed,f#ck him,no good thief,how can these morons side with this thug?
want2say
6:29 pm on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Due to the crimes commited, I would have to think any judge worth his salt would throw this criminal's totally absurd request out of court and not allow the taxpayer's money be wasted by this theif any further!
H.HEMMES
8:23 am on Thursday, January 26, 2012
YOU GOT TO LOVE IT!!!
The only people who enjoy all of this nonsense are the biggest thieves of all .....
the Lawyers!!!
PJ Ortley
6:08 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
In this country you are innocent until proven guilty.
Until the court decides I must vote "undecided".
I am sure he is guilty and I hope when the verdict is reached they throw the book at him and he has to pay us, the taxpayers of Tom's River, not the other way around.
Mr. ?
6:21 pm on Thursday, January 26, 2012
The IRS and Feds will get every last penny and now we are losing even more money with attorneys fees. TR wont get a dime back! All said and done, the legal fees will be more than the 64 K he wants and is entitled to..."innocent until proven guilty" His deferred compensation 457 plan is under federal law jurisdiction and would not be his for five years after he retired. I believe as long as he stays retired. The BOE knew that, and accepted his retirement.TR loses no matter what!
Sean Conneamhe
3:30 am on Thursday, March 15, 2012
.