Residents have the option of sending written comments to the sentencing judge prior to the sentencing of Toms River Regional's disgraced former superintendent on fraud charges.
The sentencing of former Toms River Regional is July 12, before U.S. District Court Judge Joel A. Pisano in Trenton.
Ritacco plead 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.
The school district's former insurance broker, Francis X. Gartland, is scheduled for sentencing July 9 before Pisano. On April 2, Gartland plead guilty to four charges: mail fraud, conspiracy to defraud the IRS and perjury.
Gartland admitted to his role with co-conspirators who paid $1 million to $2 million in bribes to Ritacco in exchange for inflated insurance contracts from 2002 to 2010, according to U.S. District Attorney Paul Fishman.
School board member Jack Reuther said he was asked by a resident if people would have an opportunity to submit written comment prior to the sentencings.
"Our legal system allows that," said Reuther.
Letters are accepted, not email or phone correspondence. Letters can be mailed to:
U.S. District Court Judge Joel A. Pisano
United States Courthouse
402 East State Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
I clearly understand what he has done is unethical - a prison sentence, where we will pay to house him, will do us NO good either. Not saying he should walk but fines are sufficient and his career and reputation have been destroyed. Hes a family man not a criminal he deserves to sit with rapist,murders etc etc.
He is a criminal...Stole from every one of us TR residents and should be punished accordingly! PERIOD!
and Ms Fraser. what could this whole thing possibly cost you???? a whopping maximum $50.... Im not the one saying he should walk free and clear. but imprisonment is pathetic for the crime. for what he did on a balance sheet would be like one of you working your menial jobs and stealing pens, paper clips or time ie late to arrive,late from lunch and leaving early. I love all the perfectionist that "the patch" brings out. You all should put your efforts into stopping social programs like food stamps,welfare and the losers on unemployment who work cash jobs. keep your blinders on Ryan.
A public hanging would be the most appropriate sentence for Ritacco and his co-conspirators. But, because we live in a society that is soft on punishment, the maximum prison sentence will suffice. Thank you,
It is simply stupid to think he did not have help, assistance or did not share some of his graft and stolen proceeds with the people that worked with him to steal from the public. The Toms River School System will always have the story of Mike Ritacco's abuse of the system reflecting on it's history. He should get the maximum sentence possible unless he is willing to help prosecute those that are also guilty. If his cooperation results in the conviction of those also responsible then he would deserve a reduction of sentence.
Someone please tell me why the school district needs a dozen or more bulldozers and graders and the maintenance personal to upkeep them. I’m standing by for information on the next announcement of when the next "groundbreaking" is planned on school property that WE will need this equipment. Wasn’t he a builder also - ding ding ding !!! That's just one example of the things that are lost with the FBI's investigation going on ... How many more things has never even been reported or exposed from his deception of the public and mis-use of public funds? More that 50% of my property taxes go to the Toms River school system and it would be nice to know that someone else doesn’t pull another “Ritacco”. Please Judge Pisano, let the punishment fit the crime!! Thank you for your time and consideration.
As far back as 1994, He was involved with sports, calling the shots as to who would play certain positions, regardless of the players qualifications, as a favor to other people.