By John Burton
FREEHOLD – A Matawan home construction contractor pleaded guilty Monday to defrauding owners of Sandy-damaged homes.
John Martocci, 59, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by deception in state Superior Court this week, according to Charles Webster, a spokesman for the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Authorities said Martocci accepted a $1,800 deposit from a Sea Bright homeowner in November 2013 to do heating, air conditioning and ventilation work on the home. In another instance he took a $1,411 deposit in January 2014 to install a new air conditioning condenser in a Howell home. In both cases authorities Martocci didn’t do the work and didn’t return the deposit.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Martocci is facing a five-year state prison sentence and full restitution.
Martocci is scheduled to appear in court again on Sept. 26 for sentencing.
