Sandy Contractor Guilty Of Theft In Point Pleasant, Elsewhere

A Little Egg Harbor man pleaded guilty Monday to stealing more than $247,000 from eight homeowners who contracted with him for Superstorm Sandy repairs, the Ocean County Prosecutor's Office announced.

Under the plea agreement, the State will recommend Petere Rinaldi be sentenced to five years in state prison, the OCPO said. He also must pay back the full amount he bilked, the OCPO said.

Rinaldi, 57, owned Donovan Mark Custom Builders, LLC and Michael Anthony Custom Builders, LLC, OCPO said. Rinaldi developed agreements for home repairs with property owners in Little Egg Harbor, Toms River, Ship Bottom and Point Pleasant between July 2014 and August 2016, the OCPO said.

Rinaldi received $247,224.63 for repairs, but he converted the money for personal use and left homeowners with unfinished projects, the OCPO said.

Rinaldi previously pleaded guilty to theft by failing to make lawful disposition of money received relative to a homeowner he victimized in Brick Township, the OCPO said. For this matter, the State will recommend he go to prison for three years and receive orders to pay back the $34,475 he owes, the OCPO said.

Sentencing for both matters is scheduled for March 29, the OCPO said.

Photo of Peter Rinaldi provided by the Office of the Ocean County Prosecutor