TOMS RIVER – The Ocean County Board of Commissioners is recognizing the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs following a weeklong undercover operation aimed at repeat offenders in the home improvement industry.
The investigation, dubbed Operation “This Old House,” was conducted Nov. 5–13 at a covert site in Manchester Township and focused on identifying contractors operating without proper licenses or in violation of state and county regulations. The effort was led by Senior Investigator Anthony Fontana and Investigator Andrew Chenacharick, working in coordination with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs.
Commissioner Robert S. Arace, the board’s liaison to the department, said the operation reflects a continued commitment to consumer protection while supporting legitimate businesses.
“These efforts help ensure residents can hire contractors with confidence, while also protecting law-abiding businesses from unfair competition,” Arace said.
Officials said the sting resulted in 40 violations issued to six contractors with prior histories of unpaid penalties, legal issues and, in some cases, active arrest warrants. Charges have been filed in Manchester Township Municipal Court, and the county is seeking more than $250,000 in fines. The cases have also been forwarded to the state Department of the Treasury and Division of Taxation for additional review.
Ronald Heinzman, director of the Ocean County Department of Consumer Affairs, said enforcement actions remain a priority.
“Our residents deserve honest and dependable contractors,” Heinzman said. “We will continue to take strong action to protect consumers and uphold the law.”
Contractors cited during the operation included Guru Waterproofing LLC of Manahawkin; BN Construction Co. of Brick; Zack of All Trades of Little Egg Harbor; B and J Asphalt of Toms River; Best Black Top of Toms River; and Frogmen Construction of Bayville, which faces both county and state charges.
Chenacharick said the violations uncovered were serious and not the result of minor paperwork errors.
“These cases represent significant failures to follow the rules and meet basic responsibilities,” he said.
Investigators also reported that three randomly selected contractors were found to be fully compliant, a result officials said underscores the professionalism of many contractors operating in Ocean County.
Fontana said the operation serves as a warning to those who attempt to take advantage of residents.
“Ocean County will not tolerate contractors who ignore the law and put consumers at risk,” he said.
The Board of Commissioners also thanked Manchester Township Police Chief Antonio Ellis, Lt. Dave Fusaro, the Manchester Township Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff Michael Mastronardy for their assistance during the operation.
Arace said the investigation highlights the department’s ongoing mission to promote fairness and transparency in the marketplace while protecting county residents from deceptive business practices.
