Crime & Safety

Man Indicted in Ritacco Scandal Now Indicted for Federal Election Fraud

Francis Gartland charged in South Amboy incidents, US Attorney Fishman announced

An insurance broker indicted on fraud charges connected to the was indicted again today on federal charges of election fraud.

A Newark federal grand jury has indicted , an insurance broker, and Thomas J. O’Leary, the Executive Director of the South Amboy Housing Authority, for alleged federal election fraud, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

In the six-count indictment, the incidents involving Gartland, 70, and O’Leary, 49, of South Amboy, surrounded the 2006 Democratic primary campaign of Joseph Vas for United States Congress in New Jersey’s 13th District.

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Gartland’s Federal Risk Hill Management was also the focus of a Barnegat Township School District-conducted forensic audit, in the filed for evidence of the district’s dealings with the insurance firm.

Federal Risk Hill Management was the firm that allegedly ensnared former Toms River Schools Superintendent , leading to a on charges alleging a kickback scheme existed for multiple years in the Toms River Regional School district between the superintendent and the insurance broker.

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Today, Fishman announced Gartland was indicted for the following:

  • Conspiracy to defraud the United States
  • Making contributions to a federal candidate in the names of others
  • Two counts of causing false statements to the Federal Election Commission

The charges for Gartland carry a maximum penalty of up to 12 years in prison and up to $550,000.

O’Leary is charged with one count each of the same charges and faces 11 years in prison and a maximum of $600,000 in fines.

In the Ritacco case, of the charges, which include four counts of filing a false tax return, two counts of conspiracy, and multiple counts of wire fraud, mail fraud and bribery. The bribery is alleged to be as much as $2 million in payments between 2002 and 2009. Ritacco has also plead not guilty and both are awaiting an October trial.

Gartland is already out on the $1 million bail bond after the fall indictment.


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