SOUTH BRUNSWICK: Man pleads guilty to theft from school

By Davy James, Staff Writer
   A South Brunswick resident pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to conspiring to steal $105,000 in funds from the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation.
   Craig Maltese, 54, was charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit theft for diverting funds allocated for payment to a masonry subcontractor working on the construction of Newark Central High School, according to a press release from the office of the attorney general.
   Under a plea agreement with the state attorney general, it will be recommended that Mr. Maltese receive probation and pay restitution of $35,000 to the New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation.
   Authorities said the investigation into the unauthorized diversion of funds is ongoing.
   Mr. Maltese’s sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 20.
   Mr. Maltese stood before state Superior Court Judge Frederick P. DeVesa in New Brunswick on Jan. 5 and admitted that between Aug. 1, 2005 and July 19, 2006, he and other unnamed individuals diverted funds to M.T. Consulting, a construction consulting firm owned by Mr. Maltese’s family, Criminal Justice Director Deborah Gramiccioni said in the release.
   The New Jersey Schools Construction Corporation had authorized payment of $283,765 to the subcontractor to prepare the job site, purchase materials and pay other startup costs for the masonry work.
   Mr. Maltese admitted to diverting the funds under a plea agreement, according to the release.
   The masonry subcontractor filed the complaint against Mr. Maltese.