A store manager from Ocean Township is charged with stealing $270,000 from his former employer, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
Mark Cocciardi, Jr., 46, worked as a sales manager at a construction supply company in Asbury Park. Prosecutors say he's charged with second degree theft by deception. They say at various times from Aug. 2021 into Oct. 2022, Cocciardi used sales receipts to process "fictitious returns of building materials" that customers had previously purchased. All of this happened while he was employed as a sales manager.
Prosecutors say Cocciardi then issued himself credit for the materials on his personal credit cards – just short of $268,800 in all.
Cocciardi was arrested Thursday. If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in prison.
Anyone with information about this or related matters should contact MCPO Detective Bob Afanasewicz at 800-533-7443.