FBI Raid Home of Ocean County Toms River New Jersey Board of Education Superintendent Michael J Ritacco

Federal agents undertaking a public corruption investigation seized a Mercedes-Benz and carried away dozens of boxes today from the home and office of an Ocean County official who for decades has presided over one of New Jersey’s largest school districts. More than a dozen investigators from the FBI and the Internal Revenue Service arrived before 8 a.m. at the Seaside Park home of Michael J. Ritacco, longtime superintendent of the Toms River Regional Board of Education. They left several hours later after carting off unmarked boxes, driving away the car and photographing the three-story house and backyard pool, which lies one block from the beach.
Agents also executed raids at the school district’s administrative offices and at the home of a district employee.
FBI spokesman Bryan Travers confirmed the operations but declined to comment on the nature of the investigation. But a law enforcement official with knowledge of the case said it was corruption related. The official declined to be identified because he was not authorized to discuss the ongoing investigation.
Ritacco has not been charged with anything.
A spokeswoman for the district, Tammi Millar, said agents had executed a search warrant and delivered a subpoena requesting records.
“We are cooperating fully,” she said.
A spokeswoman for U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman declined to comment.
The raids came on the heels of heated statewide debates about school spending and two days after voters statewide rejected 58 percent of school budgets. Toms River’s $195 million budget was among the minority that passed. Investigators gave no indication today that the raids were in any way tied to the vote.
With more than 17,500 students and three high schools, Toms River is the fourth largest school district in the state.
Ritacco, who did not respond to messages left at his home today, has worked for the district for roughly 40 years. He became superintendent in 1991 and is something of a local icon.
The 62-year-old has a reputation as an ambitious and business-minded administrator who is a former chairman of the Toms River-Ocean County Chamber of Commerce. He is a vice president of the Toms River Police Foundation. And the district’s Ritacco Center — a 3,500-seat arena that opened in 2003 to host sporting events, concerts and trade shows — is named in his honor.
“He is certainly a well-know person, and he has been in that position a long time,” Toms River Mayor Thomas F. Kelaher said. “I’ve never heard an adverse thing about him.”
Ritacco also served on the education committee for Gov. Chris Christie’s transition team. After a news conference today at a beach club in Sea Bright to commemorate Earth Day, Christie said he knew nothing about the probe nor how it was tied to Ritacco.
“I hope he is not in trouble. If he is, he’s going to have to pay the price,” said Christie, who as U.S. attorney made a name for himself prosecuting public officials.
Also today, agents searched the Toms River home of Donna M. Mansfield, 42, who has worked for the district for 11 years and manages a cafe in the school administration building, according to public records and Millar, the spokeswoman. Attempts to contact Mansfield today were unsuccessful.
With a salary of $231,000, Ritacco is among New Jersey’s highest paid school superintendents. He is also superintendent of the Seaside Heights Borough School District and runs a business, MJ RIT, Inc. out of his home, according to a state financial disclosure form requiring him to list all sources of income in excess of $2,000.
The president of the Toms River Regional Board of Education, Betty Vasil, said she did not know what investigators were seeking, but she said the district had nothing to hide. She also defended Ritacco.
“The board has always had the utmost respect for Mr. Ritacco,” Vasil said. “Until we know more about the investigation, our confidence remains.”