Ocean County Sandy Contractor Gets 5 Years For Theft: OCPO

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, N.J. — An Ocean County contractor who pleaded guilty to stealing funds from homeowners after promising Superstorm Sandy repairs will spend five years in prison, officials announced Monday. Peter Rinaldi admitted in February to stealing over $247,000 from eight homeowners, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office said.

Rinaldi, of Little Egg Harbor, was sentenced Friday and must pay full restitution to the victims, totaling $247,224.63, the OCPO said. He was previously sentenced to three years in prison and ordered to pay $34,475 in restitution for theft from a homeowner in Brick, according to the OCPO.

Rinaldi entered agreements with eight homeowners in Little Egg Harbor, Toms River, Ship Bottom and Point Pleasant for repairs following Superstorm Sandy, the OCPO said.

As the former owner of two contracting companies, Rinaldi misused repair funds for his personal use, according to the OCPO. The 57-year-old left homeowners with unfinished projects, according to the OCPO.

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