Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced today that on Monday, September 16, 2019, George LaRosa, 50, of Barnegat, pleaded guilty to one count of Theft by Deception in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, a crime of the second degree, before the Honorable Michael T. Collins, J.S.C.
Officials say the State has recommended a sentence of three years in New Jersey State Prison in addition to an amount of $456,650.00 in restitution to his victims.
LaRosa has agreed to make full restitution as a condition of his plea. LaRosa is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Collins on January 24,
2020.
After Super Storm Sandy, LaRosa entered into contracts with nineteen homeowners throughout Stafford Township, Lacey Township, Toms River Township, Long Beach Township, Ship Bottom and Little Egg Harbor, to repair homes that were damaged by the storm.
LaRosa failed to make the repairs and converted monies received for those repairs
to his own personal use before closing his business and leaving homeowners in various stages of disrepair.