Contractor admits scamming Superstorm Sandy victims
John Martocci, 59, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of third degree theft by deception. (Photo courtesy of the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office)
A Matawan man is facing a prison sentence after admitting to theft charges related to deposits taken from Superstorm Sandy victims and work never performed, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced in a release.
John Martocci, 59, pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of third degree theft by deception before Monmouth County Superior Court Judge John R. Tassini, J.S.C., Gramiccioni said.
Martocci admitted that he accepted an $1,800 deposit in November 2013 for post-Superstorm Sandy work involving the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) on a Sea Bright home but never started or returned the money, according to Gramiccioni.
In the second incident, he admitted that he accepted a $1,411 deposit in January 2014 from a Howell resident for a new air conditioning condenser but also failed to undertake the project and never returned the money, Gramiccioni said.
The plea agreement requests a five-year custodial sentence in a New Jersey state prison and full restitution. Sentencing is scheduled before Judge Tassini on September 26, 2014.
Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Andrew S. Fried of the office’s Financial Crimes and Public Corruption Bureau is prosecuting the case. He is the coordinator of the Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task Force.
Homeowners or citizens are urged to report complaints on the Monmouth County Superstorm Sandy Fraud Task website at www.SandyFraud.com or by calling (855) SANDY 39.
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