The Ocean County Sheriff’s Office has announced a guilty plea in connection to theft. According to authorities, the former Director of Recreation for the Township of Brick, 46-year-old Daniel Santaniello, has pleaded guilty to theft.

The State intends to seek a team of 180 days in the Ocean County Jail as a condition of Probation. Santaniello will be required to resign from his position and forfeit any and all public employment. He will also be required to pay full restitution in the approximate amount of $9,260.

Authorities say that Santaniello was responsible for issuing permits to private organizations for using the township’s recreational facilities, including various softball fields. Private organizations were charged fees for their usage.

It is alleged that Santaniello kept the money for himself. To conceal the theft, Santaniello allegedly provided the private organizations who paid him with fraudulent permits. On July 17, 2024, Santaniello was taken into custody at his residence without incident.