TOMS RIVER, NJ – Ocean County, New Jersey, a coastal region known for its serene beaches and tight-knit communities, has been rocked by a series of high-profile arrests involving prominent political figures in recent years.
Over the years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has targeted local officials in a string of corruption scandals, with some cases tied to the sprawling Operation Bid Rig, a long-term investigation into political misconduct across the state.
Among the most notable figures caught in the FBI’s net are George Gilmore, Carmine Inteso Jr., Danel Van Pelt, and Michael Ritacco, whose actions have left a lasting mark on Ocean County’s political landscape.
George Gilmore: The Power Broker’s Fall
George Gilmore, a towering figure in Ocean County politics, was once the influential chairman of the Ocean County Republican Party.
Known for his ability to wield significant political clout, Gilmore’s career took a dramatic turn when the FBI investigated his financial dealings.
In 2019, Gilmore was convicted on charges related to tax evasion and failing to remit payroll taxes for his law firm.
Prosecutors alleged that he used corporate funds for personal expenses, including lavish home renovations and payments on expensive collectibles, while neglecting to pay over $1.5 million in payroll taxes he collected from employees at his now defunct law firm.
Gilmore’s arrest sent shockwaves through the county, where he had long been a kingmaker in Republican circles.
His conviction highlighted the misuse of power and privilege, tarnishing the reputation of a man who had shaped local politics for decades. However, in a surprising twist, Gilmore received a presidential pardon from then-President Donald Trump in 2021, allowing him to avoid prison time.
Despite the pardon, his legal troubles remain a topic of discussion, with ongoing scrutiny of his influence in Ocean County’s Republican machine.
Carmine Inteso Jr.: The Mayor Who Fled
Carmine Inteso Jr., the former mayor of Toms River, found himself at the center of a federal investigation that culminated in his arrest in 2012.
Inteso, who served as mayor in the early 2000s, was charged with tax evasion after allegedly failing to report approximately $291,000 in income from an insurance broker between 2006 and 2008.
The payments, funneled through a defunct company he controlled, were linked to a broader corruption scheme involving Toms River officials and insurance contracts.
In a dramatic turn, Inteso fled to Afghanistan, where he worked as a contractor, reportedly after learning he was under investigation.
His attempt to evade justice ended when he was apprehended by FBI agents upon his return to the United States at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
In December 2012, Inteso pleaded guilty to tax evasion and was sentenced to six months in prison, followed by six months of house arrest. His case underscored the lengths to which some officials would go to avoid accountability, leaving Toms River residents grappling with the betrayal of a once-trusted leader.
Michael Ritacco: The Superintendent’s Costly Schemes
Michael Ritacco, the former superintendent of Toms River Regional Schools, was one of Ocean County’s most powerful educational leaders until his arrest in 2010. Ritacco was charged with accepting between $1 million and $2 million in bribes from an insurance broker in exchange for securing lucrative contracts with the school district.
The scheme, which involved kickbacks disguised as payments for nonexistent services, allowed Ritacco to live a lavish lifestyle, complete with luxury cars and extravagant vacations.
Ritacco’s arrest was a bombshell for the Toms River community, where he had been widely respected for his leadership in the school district. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to mail fraud and tax evasion, admitting to his role in the corruption scheme.
A federal judge sentenced him to 11 years in prison and ordered him to pay $4.3 million in restitution to the school district, alongside forfeiting assets like a Mercedes-Benz and nearly $9,000 in cash. Ritacco’s fall from grace was a stark reminder of how corruption could infiltrate even the most trusted institutions, leaving taxpayers to foot the bill for his greed.
Daniel Van Pelt: Operation Bid Rig: A Broader Net of Corruption
The arrests of Gilmore, Inteso, and Ritacco are part of a larger tapestry of corruption uncovered by Operation Bid Rig, a multi-year FBI investigation launched in 2002 to root out political misconduct in New Jersey. While the operation primarily gained attention for its 2009 sting, which led to the arrests of 44 individuals across the state, including public officials and religious leaders, its earlier phases ensnared several Ocean County figures.
The investigation exposed a culture of bribery, extortion, and fraud that permeated local governments, with Ocean County serving as a focal point for some of the most egregious cases.
One notable figure caught in Operation Bid Rig was Daniel Van Pelt, a former assemblyman and Waretown mayor, arrested in 2009. Van Pelt was convicted of accepting a $10,000 bribe from a cooperating witness posing as a developer seeking permit approvals for a fictitious project. His 2010 conviction and subsequent 41-month prison sentence highlighted the pervasive nature of corruption in Ocean County, where even elected officials were willing to trade influence for cash.
The Lasting Impact on Ocean County
The arrests of these political figures have left an indelible mark on Ocean County, shaking public trust in local governance. Residents, already wary of political scandals in New Jersey, have grown increasingly skeptical of those in power. The cases of Gilmore, Inteso, Ritacco, and others involved in Operation Bid Rig reveal a troubling pattern of self-interest overriding public duty, with taxpayers and communities bearing the consequences.
While some, like Gilmore, have managed to evade the full weight of their convictions through pardons or legal maneuvers, the damage to Ocean County’s reputation persists.
Local leaders have since faced calls for greater transparency and accountability, with voters demanding reforms to prevent future scandals.
The FBI and future arrests
We spoke to FBI agents involved in each of these cases and while they would not confirm any continued investigations in particular, they did acknlowedge that they will be keeping an eye on Ocean County in the future.
Rumors are swirling that even Gilmore, today, could be a confidential informant with the FBI as they potentially investigate current and future crimes related to the circle of individuals who could once again, be up to no good.
The FBI’s continued scrutiny of the region, including recent investigations into hiring practices within the Ocean County Republican Party, suggests that the shadow of corruption still looms large.As Ocean County moves forward, the stories of these fallen figures serve as a cautionary tale.