Former Belmar Fire Marshal Admits He Submitted False Time Cards To Borough

A former Belmar fire marshal and senior lead fire protection inspector with the Picatinny Arsenal Fire Department admitted in Trenton federal court he submitted phony time cards during the time he worked for both organizations, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman said.

John Rizzitello, 45, Nashville, Tennessee, formerly of Freehold, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Ship to fraudulently reporting that he worked 1,540 hours for the Belmar Fire Department from January 2013 to December 2014.

Rizzitello was paid $34,141 for the time in Belmar, Fishman said.

Also, Rizzitello pleaded guilty to submitting fraudulent time cards for 508 hours at the Picatinny Arsenal for which he was paid $10,644.

Rizzitello could face a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison or twice the gross gain or loss from the offenses. His sentencing is set for next March.

Fishman credited investigators with the Picatinny Arsenal Criminal Investigations Unit, under the direction of Picatinny Arsenal Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Ivey, the Picatinny Arsenal Inspector General and Internal Review office, under the direction ARDEC Director John Hedderich, and criminal investigators with the U.S. Attorney’s Office with the investigation leading to today’s guilty plea.

Image: Patch file photo.