Toms River Man Accused Of Failing To Register As Home Contractor

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man has been charged with failing to register with the state as a home improvement contractor, the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday.

© Provided by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office
Thomas Carlevale, 34, was investigated after homeowners learned he wasn’t registered when his work didn’t pass inspection or have required permits, the prosecutor said.

Thomas Carlevale, 34, turned himself in to authorities on Monday, following an investigation prompted by multiple complaints from homeowners about work performed at their homes, Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.

The investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Unit found Carlevale had solicited and performed home improvement work on homes in Toms River under the company names “T-Tech Construction” or “T-Tech Building and Electric” in October 2019.

Billhimer said homeowners contacted law enforcement when they became suspicious after work Carlevale performed failed to pass inspections or when he failed to obtain the necessary permits for the work.

Investigators learned Carlevale had performed the work despite not having a valid home improvement contractor’s license since 2015, he said. He was arrested and charged and released to await a court date, the prosecutor’s office said.

This is the second time Carlevale has been charged with failure to register as a contractor. In 2016 Carlevale was charged with failure to register and theft by failure to make required disposition after a Seaside Heights couple said he had taken money to repair and raise their home in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy but walked away before finishing the job.

Carlevale, who initially claimed the couple breached the contract, pleaded guilty to theft in February 2017 before Superior Court Judge Barbara Villano, according to state court records. He served 230 days in jail and was required to make $22,000 restitution to the victims, according to the record.

Billhimer said anyone who believes they may have been victimized by Carlevale should contact Sgt. Ray Gardner or Detective Eric Ludwick of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Unit at 732-929-2027, ext. 3070.

Billhimer said the Ocean County Sheriff’s Office assisted in the investigation.

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