Former Brick Recreation Director Gets Probation After Permit Fee Theft

Brick Township’s former recreation Director was sentenced Friday to a term of three years of probation by Superior Court Judge Guy P Ryan.

Dan Santaniello, 46, was charged with theft after officials uncovered a scheme in which he pocketed cash payments for event permits at township facilities.

Santaniello was required to resign from his position with Brick Township and forfeit any and all future public employment.  Santaniello has paid full restitution in the amount of approximately $9,260, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office said. Santaniello pled guilty to the charge before Ryan on December 10, 2024.

On July 17, 2024, 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.

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The charges came after an investigation revealed that in his position as Director of Recreation, Santaniello was responsible for issuing permits to private organizations for utilizing the township’s recreational facilities, including the township’s various softball fields. Private organizations wishing to utilize the fields were charged fees for their usage.  The investigation found that Santaniello required certain organizations wishing to utilize the township’s fields to pay him directly in cash, rather than issuing checks to the township.  Instead of depositing the cash into the township’s accounts, Santaniello kept the monies for himself.  

In order to conceal his theft, Santaniello provided the private organizations who paid him in cash, with fraudulent permits.

Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler handled the case for the state.