Disgust, Embarrassment Over Ritacco Guilty Pleas
Toms River South junior glad it's over
It should have come sooner.
That's Toms River High School South junior Ken Gaughran's take upon hearing that former longtime Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael J. Ritacco pleaded guilty to corruption charges today in federal court.
"Hopefully some pride and trust will be restored with the Board of Education," said Gaughran, who has followed the Ritacco saga from day one. "I'm actually glad he just pleaded guilty. It was dragging everyone down. He probably should have admitted it in the first place. It probably would have been easier."
Ritacco pleaded guilty this morning in federal court in Trenton to mail fraud and conspiracy to impede the IRS. He could face 11 to 14 years of jail time, according to sentencing guidelines. His trial was slated to start Monday.
Forked River resident Daniel Menchise agreed that Ritacco should have pleaded guilty earlier.
"He probably should have admitted it in the first place," Menchise said. "It probably would have been easier."
For Jimmy Capone — the owner of Capone's on Washington Street in Toms River — the Ritacco story has been an embarassment.
"I just think the whole thing is a shame," Capone said. "It's embarrassing. I have kids that go to the school system. It's still a great town, still a great school system. We are going to be fine."
For Toms River resident Virginia Noto, the Ritacco scandal is just one in a long line of public officials.
"The greed!" she said. "It's like in fashion. What happened to good old-fashioned virtues? They went out the window. How dare he!"
Ritacco pleaded guilty to two of the 27 charges he was facing, and admitted his role in years of corruption at the school district, where as much as $2.5 million in bribes were allegedly passed between Ritacco, insurance brokers and intermediaries.
Laura
7:47 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
What about the BoE Attorney? Isn't that George Gilmore's firm? Do you think anything happens in this county that he doesn't know about?
Eggs-n-Toast
8:03 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
I'm going to be really really disgusted if they don't take away his retirement / pension, health coverage, and any other life-time perks he was due to collect. The man is soon to be a convicted felon. He should forfeit EVERYTHING; home, cars, bank accounts, pensions everything!
Gary LaFetra
6:53 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Former Mayor Scarpelli of Brick was stripped of everything for his transgressions.
dave
8:29 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
hey bernie madoff,move over, company coming
1stcav
8:58 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Bring Tuna, Bernie like Tuna and cookie for "Cookie Monster", me do time for stealing cookie batter at OC fair, me bad boy ! MJR you badder boy ! Dad must be soooo proud of his Sonny Boy NOW ! What no more big smile , bragging rights are all gone..Boo Whooo !
Theresa Gares
9:10 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
wow it's wild how everyone wants to bash Ritacco, but we forget even though the money was from bribes he built us the center that's on TR North High School, he put up the Bubble for the kids for track, and he did all this without raising our taxes, in 13 yrs i been in my house my taxes have only gone up 1,000.00 dollars, so now that will change cause the next greed sob will come in and all our taxes will go up cause they'll want a raise. believe me i'm not condoning what he did was right, but atleast some good come out of it.
Eggs-n-Toast
8:25 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Well, Theresa, maybe Ritacco should have accomplished all those "good things" WITHOUT illegal profits from them and NOT breaking the law, cheating on his taxes, scamming money from bribes and contracts, don't you think?
Jerry Belle
10:19 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
You overlook the built in costs added to all the construction to cover the bribes and pay-offs that occurred during Ritacco's regime. Only Ritacco and his cronies benefited from the payola. Imagine how much more could have been built if costs were not inflated to make the bribes and pay-offs? Funny how you actually do justify Ritacco's actions, but you call the next one to come in a "greed(y) sob" and you just don't get it....
DennyD
2:50 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
Theresa you do realize that the Ritacco family is in the "construction" business? hmm That, along with a good friend invoved in real estate, makes it real easy to cover all the bases. Yes, Mr. Ritacco did accomplish many good things but it was always about taking care of #1. I find it hard to believe that only he, Gartland and the other two stooges are the only ones that are taking the hit. The more finger-pointing one does the more they share the blame and the penalties.
John Walton
9:20 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
I'm sure his goumad is enjoying that nice house in seaside park.
Laci
9:29 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
If Garland pleaded guilty and threw Ritacco under the bus with a plea, I'll bet Ritacco did the same. It's just who?.
1stcav
7:13 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
The feds call it playing" tag" when caught your" it" , now if you want a break , give us dirt on someone else and if good enough you get a break, if not , you don't end of story. Garland was it , he gives up MJR..his good buddy.. Now ...MJR is it , so he has to give up someone , that's how the FBI & IRS roll.. You have to NEVER be " It " !!!!
jasondhsd
9:42 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
LOL does anyone actually believe people on the BoE give a damn about education?
Rick Ricky
11:29 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
Another sc-mb-g school employee who is getting off easy. Federal prison is like a county club. This guy should be stripped of everything he owns. His pension should go back to the residents. End of Story!
Rick Ricky
11:35 pm on Thursday, April 5, 2012
This only shows you all the schools should be investigated. You know Toms River is not the only schools getting away with deceit.
BN
6:06 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Funny how people have forgotten about the NJEA "Teachers Gone Wild" video....then add the fiasco going on in Lakewood. Time to close the federal Dept. of Education too!
gri
10:12 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Ken should not drink Monster, it is not good for his health.
jerseykris
11:51 am on Friday, April 6, 2012
Adding to some other people's comments, the ENTIRE board of education that let this happen over a period of years needs to be held accountable. The nepotism in hiring, issuing of contracts, etc. needs a thorough review.
But it won't happen. For years and years, people have 'known' of the corruption going on with the school board, and nothing was ever done, and sadly it seems to have become the norm.
Ritacco and his supporters on the BOE need to have their names placed on a plaque of shame, erected downtown for all to see so that their sins are never forgotten.
Too many of their supporters are ALREADY trying to re-write history and mitigate their roles
DennyD
2:59 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
Shame does not carry the same stigma as it once did. Look no further than Hollywood, Washington D.C., the sport's world or the clergy. Look at the track records of so many of these people and how easily they survive and come back. Shame? The Scarlet Letter today means just "A"nother one.
Trish
9:04 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
jerseykris, You are right on. Embarrassment on so many levels. Do you know why they let it all happened? BOE members exchange favors and to look the other way so their families receive special treatment in the schools. From fudging grades to being picked to be a star player on teams and the teachers and coaches are not innocent either. Therefore it is not only the tax payers that are losing, it is all the kids who are getting overlooked because they are not connected to right individuals who are involved with the nepotism that has been running rampant with in all districts. The reason it has become the normal and accepted is because they really have no accountability in the schools. If they are all doing it, it is easier to just go along even though it is not right. I say make the laws a little tougher. If any one is caught cheating the students, residents in any way should lose their job, take away medical, pension or any other perks in which they were contracted to receive. There should be both ethics laws in place. Why should anyone receive money who breaks public trust in anyway. If you put tough laws in place their will be a lot less taking chances if they knew they were going to lose what they are working for.
Johnny A
9:16 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Come on now, are you saying some of the current BOE members have family members that have jobs? No, that cannot be. Yea Right!
Trish
9:26 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Johnny A, Yes, and don't forget all those who have their kids,cousins, nieces,, nephews and their friends kids that are getting special treatment too. This way all their cronies do not have to pay for college. That is the games they play mean while they shut down and squash other kids with in the community that actually are the ones who really deserve it.
Jaime Trobi
9:13 pm on Monday, April 9, 2012
what ever happened to Frank D'Alonzo?? Was he ever sentenced??
Trish
9:09 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
@Denny D, You are so right on. That is why you need to hit them in their pocketbook. Put stiff laws in to place. I can bet you things will change once they all know it is going to affect them personally. Put specific laws in place from the Top all the way down. Close all loopholes.
lockoutl311
9:03 am on Friday, June 15, 2012
I'm very interested in knowing that also. I'm hoping he did and has to rot in a cell for at least 10 years. Maybe that will help him lose some fat. May he get what he deserves.
Bud Ratliff
6:58 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
He's living the good life in Mobile, AL - if you want more info email me at gmacbowl1@gmail.com
Trish
9:39 am on Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Just look at the Pension he was going to receive. Something close to $155,000 a year. Break it down, close to $15,000 per month is insane. The average pension for workers might be close to $1,500 per month. This is the reason why the pension system is collapsing. I do not care how much the state gives back from what they took it can't sustain these types of pensions. It is ridiculous. This is only 1 administrator out of many. For what he did, give him back the amount he put in to his pension witch was around $132,000 does not even cover a year, if he lives to be in his 80's where is all the money coming from. Other members that are at the bottom. Overhaul public pensions. Give them all the money they put in to the system and let them make their own. What I really find funny is other public workers who are receiving public pensions that are complaining or calling out the large amount some are receiving and about what other current public workers are or going to receive public pensions soon. From complaining about the high taxes to making need adjustment. Just grandfather me and start now. Talk about shinning the light on one self.
Greg Thompson
11:39 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
I've met powerful people like him on the job. Including those stuffed shirt senators. Such arrogance about these people. Like they're so much better than me. Well, I never bribe anyone and I'm not going to jail. So who's the better person now?