Point Beach Served a Subpeona in Birdsall Investigation

Point Pleasant Beach is among the towns served with a subpeona in the ongoing investigation into Birsdall Services Group, a Monmouth County-based engineering and consulting firm that has been under investigation by the state.

On Tuesday, Point Beach Business Administrator Chris Riehl confirmed that Birdsall has done work for the town and that the town was served with a subpeona last Wednesday. The town has until Sept. 6 to submit all subpeoned documents.

"We have contracted with them since 2006," Riehl said, when asked when the town did business with Birdsall. "Their projects included Sea Coast Oil remediation project, dredging of Lake Louise, and sealing of potable water wells."

The Sea Coast site is at 315 Cooks Lane, across from the public works department. The dredging project was a few years ago.

A subpoena has also been served to Ocean County government, Brick, Lacey, Barnegat, Stafford and Toms River pertaining to business with Birdsall Services Group.

The subpoena was issued by the state grand jury sitting in Trenton and was served on multiple municipalities that transact business with Birdsall Engineering, officials across the area said.

Grand jury investigations are kept secret, so it was not known why Birdsall is being investigated and why towns are being subpeoned for information. Patch called the state Attorney General's office on Monday, but did not receive a return phone call.

In general, municipalities served have two weeks to turn over requested documentation.

In Brick, Birdsall has served as the township engineer for about 15 years, handling the bulk of the township's engineering services.

On Wednesday, May 3, state investigators executed a search warrant at the offices of Birdsall Services Group. The exact reason for the investigation is currently unknown.

According to an NJ.com story, Birdsall did more than $28 million in business with towns, counties, the state and other public agencies throughout New Jersey in 2011. The company also donated $129,700 to dozens of Democrats and Republicans last year.