It really is a sad day. It didn't have to be like this. IF GREED was taken out of this picture, we'd still have a powerful, smart Super. Now all we are left with is a bad taste in our mouths and the knowledge that money was more important than the community he served. Sad.....

Hello. In the courtroom now, Ritacco Attorney Jerome A. Ballarotto has asked Judge Pisano to consider a 60 month sentence. The defense is now presenting supporters speaking about Ritacco.

Thank you for the update. I wish I could have been there* I think 7 to 10 yrs. At his age, anything hard time*

Rot

Dave Campos... his college roommate... former Dallas Cowboys Head Coach and current University of Kansas DC spoke on Ritacco behalf... flew in from Kansas.
Kevin Smith, principle from Walnut, spoke on Ritacco behalf... what!! and why!! Admin should be furious.
Ritacco son who is also a teacher at TRRS is speaking...
that's all so far.

All those speaking on his behalf benefited from his crimes, the only “anguish and disappointment” they are experiencing is because he got caught.

The fish rots from the head.

But don't be surprised that even if Ritacco is sentenced for a long term today that he does NOT get carted off to prison right away. Often the Federal courts give non-dangerous defendants a month or so to report to their new home.

Pisano is astonished that this could happen..

Pisano said... was it lack of oversight...

Answer... YES.... the BOE just rubber stamps everything... even the current BOE just going on Admin recommendations... Duh!!!

The sad thing he still has his hands in local and county politics. How and why? He's not the only crooked politician in OC, just the only one that got caught. Look
at all the county and local govt workers, how many are friends and family of elected officials? I hear even newly elected Berkeley Mayor found a job for his wife in the twp. I was so hoping he would've been different, oh well, let down again.

Assistant Prosecutor Dustin Chao recommending 135-169 months sentence, saying it "is a fair and just sentence."

Bet he gets 10 years....What a low life and that goes for the those who are backing him now.

Pisano took a recess and asking if anyone from the school board is present!!! wowo

Dave campos the most inept coach ever. Ritacco is luck he doesn't get a death sentence after that loser speaks. Give him 100 Years and one year off for each crony criminal he gives up , he should be a free man in less than minutes. The hardest choice he would have is who is # 99 And #100

Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey hey goodbye.

what is going on now in the courtroom

Pisano believes the number is closer to 2million... not 1 million..
So... that will increase years in jail.

Kevin Smith spoke of behalf of ritacco. One a-hole sticking up for another.

I smelled a rat when in February 2010 that former athletic director was arrested out of state and it seemed odd that someone would leave NJ and give up a good job like a school athletic director, something didn't quite add up.

Pisano is now detailing the dollar amounts he suspects passed hands throughout the years. He decries Ritacco for somehow managing to serve as superintendent, business administrator for the district, while running his own construction company.

The HAMMER is about to drop....

Anyone there on his behalf, with the exception of his family, should be investigated. As a tax payer in TR I am furious that any would be ther in support of such a crook!

Any sentence yet?

Hello, this story is updated here http://tomsriver.patch.com/articles/ritacco-sentenced

It's time to start looking into all the superintendents roles and they will find many more doing the same things. He's the only one to get caught. Every school district should call for audits of their Superintendents and now.

Superintendents AND business administrators.

look into Lakewood schools as well!!!

Hold the fort down Mike, Doc. James will be joining you shortly.

Big tough guy Mike Ritacco was crying in the courtroom. LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL

I bet your kids are real proud of their no good rotten crooked father now....LOL, LOL

Why would they care? They were all benefiting by Dadio MK along with his entourage.