Prosecutor's Office Claims Contractor Operating with Expired License

TOMS RIVER-On Monday (1/4/16), Seaside Heights residents, Mary and Nick Ditta, responded to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office to report a theft by contractor Thomas Carlevale, 29, of Thomas Carlevale Construction in Toms River. The Ditta’s reported they contracted Mr. Carlevale’s company to lift and renovate their home in Seaside Heights, but that the work has been left incomplete.

The investigation by OCPO Special Investigations Unit alleges that the Ditta’s provided approximately $22,000 to Mr. Carlevale for the requested services and that Thomas Carlevale spent approximately $4,500 on the job before abandoning the work and leaving the residence damaged and incomplete. In addition the investigation found Carlevale was not registered with the State as a home improvement contractor at the time the contract was drafted.

An arrest warrant for THEFT BY FAILURE TO MAKE REQUIRED DISPOSITION AND FAILURE TO REGISTER AS A HOME IMPROVEMENT CONTRACTOR was applied for and granted by Judge Daniels, with bail set at $50,000 no 10%. On Wednesday (1/6/16) at approximately 1 pm, members of OCPO Special Investigations Unit located and arrested Carlevale after a motor vehicle stop on Washington Street in Toms River.

Anyone experiencing issues with Thomas Carlevale’s Construction Company can contact OCPO Special Investigations Unit Det. Brad Frank at 732-929-2027 Ext. 3689.

The media and public are reminded that criminal charges are merely accusations and that these defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Shore News Network

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.