N.J. School District Withholds Sick, Vacation Pay

TOMS RIVER, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey's fourth-largest school district is withholding more than $53,000 from the superintendent who retired after his arrest on corruption charges.

An e-mail obtained by the Asbury Park Press shows former Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael Ritacco will have to wait to collect his sick day and vacation pay until the charges are resolved.

Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande of Monmouth County has introduced a bill that would prevent officials in criminal investigations from taking such payments.

Ritacco surrendered to federal authorities last Friday to face charges he participated in an insurance-kickback scheme that allegedly involved more than $1 million in bribes.

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