Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on August 31, 2022, Ross Miserendino, 56, of Lacey Township, pled guilty to Theft.
At the time of his sentencing on November 4, 2022, the State will be recommending a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison. Miserendino will also be required to make restitution to the victim in the amount of $217,300.
An investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and Lacey Township Police Department revealed that beginning in 2019, the victim began to suffer from medical issues, which caused her to be temporarily unable to manage her finances.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, Miserendino - who was in a romantic relationship with the victim at the time - agreed to assist her by paying her bills and was given access to her checks and bank account information for that purpose.
Between 2019 and 2020, Miserendino signed the victim’s name without her authorization on 146 checks totaling $171,000.
Prosecutor Billhimer said that the majority of those checks were written out to Enrique Roldan, 43, of Jackson, while others were written directly to Miserendino.
Both Roldan and Miserendino shared in the proceeds of the theft. Additionally, during that time period, Miserendino stole approximately $11,000 worth of personal property located at the victim’s residence in Lacey Township.
According to Prosecutor Billhimer, Miserendino also obtained an American Express credit card in the victim’s name without her authorization and subsequently made approximately $34,000 worth of charges on that card for his benefit.
Miserendino and Roldan were both charged with theft on June 23, 2021, and June 24, 2021, respectively; they were processed and released on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court. The charges against Roldan remain pending.