Former brick township "employee of the month" recreation director pleads guilty to theft

BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The former Director of Recreation for Brick Township, Daniel Santaniello, 46, pled guilty to theft on Tuesday, admitting to stealing township funds during his tenure, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced.

Santaniello entered the plea before the Honorable Guy P. Ryan, P.J.Cr.P., in Ocean County Superior Court. As part of a plea agreement, the state will recommend a 180-day jail term in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of probation when he is sentenced on January 31, 2025. He was also required to resign from his township position, forfeit future public employment, and pay full restitution of approximately $9,260.

A joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Brick Township Police Department, and its Internal Affairs Unit revealed that Santaniello had exploited his position by collecting cash payments directly from private organizations seeking permits to use township recreational facilities, including softball fields. Instead of depositing these funds into township accounts, he kept the money for himself and issued fraudulent permits to conceal the theft.

Santaniello was taken into custody without incident on July 17, 2024, at his residence. Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer commended the collaborative efforts of investigators and Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler, who is handling the case.

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