BEACHWOOD – A former code enforcer for Beachwood and other towns has been ripping off towns and residents for years – and more victims might be out there – according to an investigation from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office.
Michael Ruvo, 56, of Toms River, was charged with Official Misconduct and Pattern of Official Misconduct in relation with his previous employment as the Code Enforcement-Zoning Officer for Beachwood.
In April of 2022, Ruvo created a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for the purpose of surreptitiously buying a property on Surf Avenue that was subject to various code violations, police said. He told someone who had power of attorney for the owner that he was arranging the sale on behalf of a third party who wished to remain anonymous.
Ruvo allegedly negotiated the sale price down to $80,000, despite that the property was worth more than $200,000.
In June 2022, he issued a code enforcement violation to a Tiller Avenue resident. Later, the resident called him, letting him know she had an estimate to bring the property up to code but seeking an extension.
Ruvo allegedly told the resident he knew a company that could provide the work for less than the estimate. He didn’t tell her that it was his company, Express Cleanout. They were hired and didn’t do the full job. But he deemed the property to be in compliance anyway.
From September 2018 through March 2023, Ruvo was employed by the Borough of Beachwood in the position of Code Enforcement-Zoning Officer.
However, he was hired by other towns to do the same work at the same time. He was also employed by Point Pleasant Beach as a Code Enforcement Officer between March 30, 2021 and September 30, 2021, as well as the Borough of Lavallette in the same capacity from August 15, 2022 through March 19, 2023. Police said time sheets show more than 150 hours when Ruvo was on the clock for Beachwood but also working for one of the other towns.
“I would ask anyone in possession of additional information with respect to Ruvo’s conduct as a Code Enforcement Officer in Beachwood, Point Pleasant Beach or Lavallette to contact Sgt. Raymond Gardner of the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office’s Economic Crime Squad at (732) 929-2027, extension 3908,” Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer stated.
Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Unit-Economic Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Beachwood Police Department, and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.
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