TOMS RIVER – A contractor who allegedly stole about a quarter of a million dollars instead of fixing peoples’ homes was sentenced to five years in state prison, according to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Peter Rinaldi, 57, of Little Egg Harbor had previously pled guilty to stealing more than $247,000 from eight homeowners who contracted with him to perform repairs on their properties in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. He also has to pay the money back.
There was also a separate charge where he had done the same thing to a Brick homeowner. For that, he has to serve three years and pay back $34,475.
These scams were through his companies, Donovan Mark Custom Builders, LLC and Michael Anthony Custom Builders, LLC, and took place between July 2014 and August 2016, police said. The homes were in Little Egg Harbor, Toms River, Ship Bottom, and Point Pleasant.
