Jersey Shore News

Officials Seeking Contractor Who Stole $1.5 Million from Hurricane Sandy Victims

Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato is asking media outlets in a number of towns and states listed below to post the attached picture of Jamie Lynn Lawson, age 42, a Super Storm Sandy contractor wanted for fraudulent activity by the Ocean County Prosecutor. Lawson has been a fugitive since December 14, 2016. He is currently under indictment for theft and money laundering related to 14 victims of contractor fraud totaling $480,000. The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office will be superseding that indictment to include 34 victims totaling approximately $1.5 million. Its alleged Lawson took money from the thirty-four homeowners in Ocean & Monmouth Counties and then did either no work or less than contracted services on their homes. He allegedly used the money for vehicles and personal expenses.

Jamie Lynn Lawson is believed to have been in the following areas since December of 2016:

Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Addison, TX
Denton, TX
Irving, TX
Houston, TX
Port Lavaca, TX
Rowland, NC
Fairmount, NC
Lumberton, NC
Bishopville, SC
Greenville, TN
Siloam, GA
Livingston, AL
Sedalia, MO
St. Louis. MO
Tulsa, OK
Quapaw, OK
Mendenhall, MS
Brandon, MS
Florence, MS
Jackson, MS
Magee, MS

Lawson moved to New Jersey shortly after Superstorm Sandy and made application to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs to be registered as a Home Improvement Contractor. The State registered Lawson based upon his material misrepresentations on the application including his failure to disclose his prior criminal convictions. Shortly thereafter, he began taking contracts to perform Sandy related renovations and new home construction.

The specific counts of the original Indictment include Financial Facilitation of Criminal Activity (Money Laundering) – Second Degree (more than $75,000), six counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Second Degree (more than $75,000), nine counts of Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition – Third Degree (more than $500 and less than $75,000), Tampering with Public Records for submitting a fictitious Home Improvement Contractor Application Third Degree and one count of Unregistered Home Improvement Contracting – Fourth Degree. Superior Court Judge Patricia B. Roe, J.S.C. set bail on the Indictment Warrant at $150,000, restricted him from engaging in home improvement & building contracts and required him to surrender his passport.

The investigation is ongoing and is being conducted in cooperation with the Brick Police Department, Toms River Police Department, Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs and New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs. Anyone with information regarding Lawson’s whereabouts is asked to contact Sergeant Mark Malinowski of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Economic Crime Unit

Chadwick Island Bridge to be Replaced

Originally built in the 1950s, the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge has served the residents of the island well providing access from their homes to Route 35. It even weathered Superstorm Sandy in October 2012.

But age has taken its toll on the timber span and Ocean County will now oversee a study to determine the best course of action for rehabilitating or replacing bridge located on the northern barrier island in Toms River Township. The North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) Board of Trustees approved $325,000 in federal funds for the study at its March meeting.

Funding for the study is provided through the Local Concept Development Phase of the NJTPA’s Fiscal Year 2018 Local Capital Project Delivery Program. The Local Capital Project Delivery Program awards grants to NJTPA member counties and cities to investigate all aspects of a project, including environmental, right of way access, design and feasibility issues. The NJTPA Board approved a combined $2.76 million for studies in FY 2018 and FY 2019 at its March 13 meeting in Newark.

Ocean County Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari extended his appreciation to the NJTPA for providing the funds for the study.

He noted the Chadwick Beach Island Bridge is used by many bicyclists and pedestrians especially in the summer months.

The two-lane bridge on Strickland Boulevard crosses the Barnegat Bay, connecting Chadwick Beach Island and its 300 homes to Route 35.

In 1985, new deck boards, pile caps and railings were installed. The timber bulkheads and load-bearing piles are deteriorating and need to be replaced. The bridge’s width and sidewalk do not meet current standards.

According to the NJTPA, Local Concept Development is the first phase of the Local Capital Project Delivery Program, which guides projects from initial concepts all the way to construction.

During the initial phase, the County will identify and compare reasonable alternatives and strategies and select a preferred alternative. Projects that complete this initial investigative work may be eligible for eventual construction with federal funds. More information on the program can be found at www.njtpa.org.

5 more people charged as scammers who stole nearly $300K in Sandy aid

TOMS RIVER — Five property owners were charged Thursday with bilking the federal government out of nearly $300,000 in federal Hurricane Sandy aid for allegedly lying on their applications to get money to rebuild homes at the Shore damaged by the 2012 storm. In four of the cases state Attorney General Christopher Porrino laid out, the…

Ocean County Split Over This Weekend's Seaside Heights Pro-Trump Rally

SEASIDE HEIGHTS-The MAGA March is coming to Seaside Heights this Saturday and Ocean County residents are split on whether or not it’s a good thing.

The Seaside Heights march has been designated as the official MAGA March for New Jersey and is part of a national pro Trump effort.

“It is about time we stand up for America. We are marching for our President, Vice President, Military, and First Responders. We are the silent majority and we are ready for a real change,” the organization said on its website.  “A change for how our Veterans are treated when the focus seems to be somewhere else.”

“It’s a peaceful pro American event. Ok. Right,” wrote Bradley Livingston. “I would be against this if it was an anti trump march. Again, nothing good will come of this.”

“I’m a very big Trump supporter. But I kinda agree with Brad,” replied Kenny TuShak “This could bring some unwanted attention and Seaside Heights is always under the gun.”

“We need to show support for Trump and our country which is in the process of being taken over,” said Kathy Serra. “WE can’t let the left think they are winning because they are not!”

Some want to use the event as a show of force against the alt-left uprising that has been gaining momentum across Ocean County in recent weeks.

“All the more reason to attend,” wrote Robert Heany.  “Time to put these pansies in their places. Make it ‘uncomfortable’ to confront the once passive right.”

“Will they be celebrating the loss of their health insurance, social security, Medicare and Medicaid? I’ll buy tickets to see that,” quipped Margaret Jelcich.

You can learn more about the event on their Facebook event page.

 

Long-awaited $128M beach replenishment to start in Ortley Beach next month

TOMS RIVER — Beach replenishment for the northern Ocean County peninsula is set to start the middle of next month, with Ortley Beach as the first spot to get the sand. State environmental protection officials said Weeks Marine Inc., the Cranford-based contractor selected to perform the $128 million project, will spend two weeks beginning mid-April pumping…

Boardwalk Pro-Trump Rally Scheduled for March 25th in Seaside Heights

SEASIDE HEIGHTS-The national MAGA March is coming to Ocean County on March 25th when supporters of President Donald J. Trump hit the boards on the boardwalk in Seaside Heights.

The Seaside Heights march has been designated as the official MAGA March for New Jersey and is part of a national pro Trump effort.

“It is about time we stand up for America. We are marching for our President, Vice President, Military, and First Responders. We are the silent majority and we are ready for a real change,” the organization said on its website.  “A change for how our Veterans are treated when the focus seems to be somewhere else.”

Some officials in Seaside Heights are concerned about the possibility of organized counter protests to the event which celebrates the presidency of Donald J. Trump.   The borough would be on the hook for additional police presence and it may be necessary to enlist the help of outside agencies, including the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department should the alt-left attempt a disruption of the otherwise peaceful pro-American event.

At least one hotel has publicly offered discounts to those coming to the borough to attend the rally.

In Orange County, California, efforts to block the march led county officials to officially close the Costa Mesa fairgrounds the day of the national march.

The rally will feature several guest speakers, although none have officially been announced.

To learn more about MAGA March, visit http://www.magamarch.org/.

 

 

Police: Man Exposed Himself to Girls Twice in Point Pleasant

The Point Pleasant Police Department is investigating two reported incidents involving a male subject exposing himself to 2 female juveniles. The two incidents occurred about a week apart, both between the hours of 2:00 PM and 3:00 PM. The first incident occurred on Cohocton Ave, north of Bridge Ave. The second incident occurred on Barton Ave, north of Herbertsville Road. In both cases the subject was described as a white male, possibly in his 20s or 30s, approximately 5’10”, heavy build with brown “messy” hair. The subject was walking past the two juveniles when he exposed himself. In each instance, the male subject then continued to walk away, leaving the area on foot. The Point Pleasant Police Department is actively investigating these incidents and we are pursuing a number of leads, utilizing every appropriate resource. Anyone with information is requested to contact Detective Joseph Hynes at 732-892-0060 or ask for the TIPS line to remain anonymous.

Photo: Google Maps photo of location where incident happened/Stock Photo.

Seaside Heights Man Charged for Beating Small Dog to Death

SEASIDE HEIGHTS-Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato announced the indictment of Nicholas Piccolino, 34, of Seaside Heights, for one count of Animal Cruelty in the 3rd degree for causing serious bodily injury and death to a 10 year-old female Bichon Frise dog named “Booshu”.

The indictment stems from an animal abuse incident reported on August 19, 2016, at approximately 9:55 pm, to the Seaside Heights Police Department.  Booshu’s owner alleged that Piccolino, who was alone with the dog in her kitchen, caused the dog’s death.  An investigation by NJSPCA Det. Sergeant Larry Donato, with assistance from the Seaside Heights Police Department, determined that during Piccolino’s time alone with Booshu, a resident of the house upstairs heard several loud banging sounds and a dog yelping in the kitchen below.  Shortly after, Piccolino notified the dog’s owner that something was wrong with her dog.  Booshu’s owner found the dog dead on the floor of the bathroom.  Piccolino claimed that Booshu “dirtied” herself in her crate and that while he was cleaning her up, he dropped her.

Booshu was transported to Red Bank Animal Hospital where she was pronounced dead upon arrival.  A subsequent necropsy performed on Booshu by Dr. Shannon Swist of the NJ Animal Health Diagnostic Lab found that Booshu suffered multiple blunt force injuries to her head and body which contributed to her death.

On September 13, 2016,  having received the necropsy report and having completed witness interviews, Det. Donato presented his findings to Ocean County Assistant Prosecutor Heidi Tannenbaum-Newman who approved Third Degree charges pursuant to NJSA Title 4:22-17c(1) and 4:22-17 c (3)(a) of Torment, torture, unnecessarily or cruelly beating a living animal resulting in their death.  Bail was set at the time of his arrest at $35,000.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Heavy traffic expected for Polar Bear Plunge in Seaside Heights

SEASIDE HEIGHTS – The Special Olympics New Jersey Polar Bear Plunge has brought thousands of off-season visitors to the Jersey Shore every year for nearly a half century. As a result, the crowds and area residents alike have grown accustomed to a little extra traffic when this popular fundraiser is in town. This year, however, the…

Shark River Dredging Project Complete

NEPTUNE, NJ – After facing years of setbacks and obstacles, the long-awaited dredging project at Shark River has been completed. Equipment from the project, which included removing sediment and reopening the navigation channels in the Shark River, is being removed.

“I’m pleased to report that with help of local and state partners, Shark River’s navigable channels have been restored to use,” said Monmouth County Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone. “The project’s two phases have restored the full length of the navigable channels.”

“The restoration of state channels to allow safe passage for recreational and commercial traffic is critically important to maintaining our vibrant shore economy,” NJDOT Commissioner Richard T. Hammer said. “I am proud of the efforts of the NJDOT Office of Maritime Resources, working with the county and local officials, to make the Shark River safer to navigate than it has been in decades.”

The dredging project hydraulically removed almost three decades of sediment from the Shark River making it possible for vessels to travel during low tide from the eastern side of the river in Neptune Township to the main channels on the western side in Neptune City and Belmar. Approximately 9,000 feet of navigable channels have been restored.

The sediment was hydraulically dredged and then piped via a secure welded pipeline to mechanical dewatering equipment located in the Belmar Marina parking lot. The dewatered material was then trucked to the Monmouth County Reclamation Center for beneficial use as cover material on the active landfill.

“Last summer this project was suspended by the shutdown of projects funded by the Transportation Trust Fund (TTF),” said Arnone. “I participated in negotiations with the State to restart this project and I plan to keep advocating for the State to maintain and improve this valuable environmental, recreational and economic resource for all County residents.

“Efforts to dredge the Shark River were a long time in the making and I am extremely pleased that our strong coalition of State, County and local leaders effectively advocated and committed funding to the dredging project,” said Arnone. “Twenty years ago, I was a councilman in Neptune City when I began advocating for keeping the Shark River a viable waterway. I kept up the pressure as mayor and finally, as a Monmouth County Freeholder, I am seeing results. Thank you to the NJDOT, the County Freeholders, Neptune City, Neptune Township, Wall, and Belmar.”

“I am pleased to have worked to secure funding for the Shark River dredging which was long overdue,” said Congressman Chris Smith. “The FEMA reimbursement of roughly one third of the project cost made the dredging possible, and will now make for safe navigation in the state channels. As someone who grew up boating and fishing on the Shark River, I know the importance of seeing this waterway improved.”

The dredging project was bid at $7.6 million, began in December 2015 and was performed by Mobile Dredging sand Pumping Co. of Chester, Pennsylvania. County and municipal commitments were as follows: Monmouth County $1.1 million; Neptune City $100,000; Neptune Township $450,000; and Wall Township $315,000. Belmar provided in-kind service for the dewatering process at the Belmar Marina.

“This is really a beginning; it certainly could not have been accomplished without the coordination of the surrounding municipalities, County, and the State to get it off the ground,” Senator Jennifer Beck said. Going forward we must conduct regular maintenance dredging to ensure the viability of this river.”