Contractor sentenced for scamming Sandy victims

A contractor who took deposits for work that was never done at two central New Jersey homes damaged by Superstorm Sandy has been sentenced to five years in state prison.

Monmouth County prosecutors say the sentenced handed down Friday to 59-year-old John Martocci, of Matawan, will run concurrent to a state prison term he is now serving.

Martocci had pleaded guilty in July to two counts of theft by deception.

Prosecutors say Martocci accepted an $1,800 deposit in November 2013 to repair the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system on a Sea Bright home, then received a $1,411 deposit in January to install a new air conditioning condenser at a Howell home.

In both cases, Martocci failed to do the work or return the deposit.