BRICK – Brick Township’s recreation director has been arrested and charged with allegedly keeping funds from private organizations and issuing fake permits, officials said.
Daniel Santaniello, 46, of Brick, was charged with Theft and Uttering a Forged Instrument relative to his position as Director of Recreation for the Township of Brick.
As Director of Recreation, Santaniello was responsible for issuing permits to private organizations for using the township’s recreational facilities, including softball fields. Those organizations who wish to use these facilities were charged fees for their usage.
According to authorities, Santaniello allegedly required certain organizations to pay him directly in cash, rather than issuing checks to the township. Santaniello would then keep the monies for himself instead of depositing the cash into the township’s account.
He allegedly concealed these thefts by giving the private organizations who paid him in cash with fraudulent permits, authorities said.
On July 17, Santaniello was taken into custody at his residence without incident by Detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Brick Township Police Department. He was processed and served with the charges via summons pending an upcoming first appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.
“This is truly a sad day for Brick Township. I trust that the Police Department and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office are thoroughly investigating these charges and will uncover all the facts related to these charges,” Mayor Lisa Crate said. “The Township takes very seriously any allegations involving the misuse of township funds and will work in close partnership with law enforcement to ensure taxpayer dollars are safeguarded from abuse.”
Santaniello began his career in the Brick Recreation Department nearly 30 years ago when he was hired as a seasonal employee as a beach parking lot attendant. In 2014, he took over as director of the township’s Parks and Recreation Division. He was awarded Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association for the year 2015. In 2016, the governing body of Brick Township recognized Santaniello by naming March 9, 2016 as “Dan Santaniello day.”
“This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with additional information concerning Santaniello’s conduct is urged to contact Detective Joseph Mitchell of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad at 732-929-2027 ext. 3532, or Lt. Paul Catalina of the Brick Township Police Department at 732-262-1100,” Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated.
Prosecutor Billhimer and Brick Township Police Chief David Forrester commend the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad as well as the Brick Township Police Department, Brick Police Internal Affairs Unit, and Brick Police Detective Bureau, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
The charges referenced are merely accusations and the public are reminded that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
