Contractor Accused Of Thefts In 3 States Gets 7-Year Jail Term

A Florida man who stole more than $364,000 from six Monmouth County homeowners and who has pending charges against him in New York State and in Florida has been sentenced to seven years in prison, the Ocean County prosecutor's office announced.

Richard Vincent Leli Jr., 48, of Naples, Florida, was sentenced Friday by Superior Court Judge Rochelle Gizinski to a prison term of seven years for the charge of second-degree theft, said Al Della Fave, spokesman for the prosecutor's office.

Leli was a contractor who stole in excess of $364,771.00 from six M0nmouth County homeowners, he said. The case was moved to the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office Economic Crimes Unit due to a conflict in Monmouth County; one of the members of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office was one of Leli's victims, Della Fave said.

Leli was indicted and subsequently extradicted from Florida in September 2017, Della Fave said.

The New York Police Department Financial Crimes Task Force, based out of Staten Island (Richmond County, NY), was present at the sentencing as they also have a warrant for Leli for a theft of approximately $300,000, Della Fave said. A detainer was lodged against Leli so that he will be transported to NY upon his release from New Jersey's state prison.

Leli also has charges of theft pending in Florida, Della Fave said.

The case was investigated by OCPO Detective James Conroy and prosecuted by Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Martin Anton.

Richard Vincent Leli Jr., photo via Ocean County Corrections Department website