Contractor Admits Failing To Perform Work For Post-Sandy Victims

A Matawan-based contractor pleaded guilty to accusations of theft admitting he accepted deposits for work related to Superstorm Sandy but failed to perform the work or return the deposits, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

John Martocci, 59, of Matawan, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of third degree Theft by Deception before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge John R. Tassini, J.S.C. In each case, Martocci waived prosecution by indictment and pled to an accusation of his wrongdoings. The plea agreement calls for a 5-year custodial sentence in a New Jersey state prison and full restitution. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 26, 2014 before Judge Tassini.

In pleading guilty, Martocci admitted he accepted a $1,800 deposit in November 2013 for post-Superstorm Sandy work involving the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system on a Sea Bright home but never commenced or completed the work and never returned the money.

Martocci also admitted he accepted a $1,411 deposit in January 2014 for a new air conditioning condenser for a Sandy victim in Howell but failed to do the work and never returned the money.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew S. Fried, of the Office’s Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau. He is the coordinator of the Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force. Martocci is represented by John Sheehy, Esq., of Toms River.

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