Brick Recreation manager arrested for theft and forgery

A local official in Brick was arrested at his home Wednesday and charged with accepting cash payments for use of the community’s recreational facilities and then pocketing the money.

Daniel Santaniello, 46, is accused of issuing fake permits to private organizations to use the softball fields, keeping the money and issuing fake permits, said Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer.

He is accused of having forced some of the cash payments.

“This investigation is still active and ongoing,” Billhimer said.

Santaniello became Brick’s recreation director in 2015 and was named Professional of the Year by the New Jersey Recreation and Parks Association in 2016. He grew up in Brick. His annual salary is $135,409.

He is accused of theft and forgery.