Former brick township "employee of the month" sentenced for theft scheme

BRICK TOWNSHIP, N.J. — The former Director of Recreation for Brick Township was sentenced Friday to three years of probation after pleading guilty to theft for pocketing cash payments meant for the township’s recreational facilities.

Daniel Santaniello, 46, was sentenced by Ocean County Superior Court Judge Guy P. Ryan after admitting to stealing approximately $9,260 while overseeing permits for the township’s sports fields. As part of his sentence, Santaniello was required to resign from his position and is permanently barred from holding public employment. He has repaid the stolen funds in full.

The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and the Brick Township Police Department. Authorities found that Santaniello had instructed certain private organizations to pay him directly in cash for field usage, rather than issuing checks to the township. Instead of depositing the funds into municipal accounts, he kept the money and attempted to cover up the theft by issuing fraudulent permits.

Santaniello was arrested at his home without incident on July 17, 2024, and later pleaded guilty to the charge on December 10, 2024. Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said the sentencing ensures that Santaniello is held accountable for his abuse of public trust.

A township official’s theft of public funds has ended in probation and a lifetime ban from government employment.

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