PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Huckleberry Pogoda, who lives in Medford with his family, was visiting the Barnegat Lighthouse on Long Beach Island recently. He was very impressed with the new paint job and the restoration upgrades. Special thanks to Clarissa Pogoda for sharing this with us! Want to see your pix in this space? Wanna win a prize? Email your Jersey Shore pix to photos@jerseyshoreonline.com and you may hear from us!

Brick PBA 230 Safety Equipment Dance

BRICK – The Brick Rotary Club’s Annual Brick PBA 230 Safety Equipment Dance on July 21 from 7 to 11 p.m. at VFW Post 8867, 373 Adamston Road. Featuring DJ Austin Diamond. Hot and cold buffet and cash bar. Tickets are $35 per person. All proceeds used to purchase body armor and safety equipment for Brick PBA 230 members.

For more information call 732-8994493 or 732-267-5132 or email pba230@ yahoo.com.

Summerfest

BRICK – Brick Township’s Summerfest is just around the corner! Concerts begin approximately 7 p.m. at Windward Beach Park. Fireworks follow every concert. Food Court and Beer & Wine Garden available. Shuttle buses will be available. Visit bricktownship.net for more information. All events subject to change due to weather. In the event of inclement weather, visit bricktownship.net for information.

• July 13 – Amish Outlaws

• July 20 – Jessie’s Girl

• July 27 – Garden State Radio

• August 1 – National Night Out Against Crime – 6 p.m.

• August 3 – Annual Car Show – 5 p.m.

• August 11 – Drive-In Movie featuring “Top Gun: Maverick” – 7 p.m.

Biz On e Bay

BRICK – Join the Brick Chamber of Commerce for a night of networking on the beautiful Barnegat Bay! Biz on the Bay will be July 18 from 5:30 to 8: 30 p.m. at Shore

Acres Yacht Club. Price is $35 for members, $40 for guests. Your ticket includes one drink ticket and BBQ buffet dinner. For tickets, visit BrickChamber.com.

Ocean County Man Admits To $21.7M Fraud Scheme

By Chris Lundy

LAKEWOOD – A man admitted his role in a $21.7 million scheme that involved fake prescriptions for orthotic braces.

Alexander Schleider, 57, of Lakewood, pleaded guilty to a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud and a charge of Wire Fraud.

Schleider owned and operated durable medical equipment companies in New Jersey that provided orthotic braces to beneficiaries of Medicare and other federal and private health care benefit programs without regard to medical necessity. He and his conspirators would get prescriptions for the braces through paying kickbacks and bribes to workers in marketing call centers. These workers would then use telemedicine companies to obtain the prescriptions.

One of Schleider’s companies received $322,237 from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources and Services Administration Provider Relief Fund. He submitted a fraudulent statement to the government that his company provided diagnoses, testing, and care in reference to COVID-19. However, this information was false. The money was used to buy such things as real estate and vehicles.

The charge of Conspiracy to Commit Health Care Fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fi ne of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. The charge of Wire Fraud is punishable by a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a fi ne of $250,000, or twice the gross profit or loss caused by the offense, whichever is greatest. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 8, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Department of Health and Human Services-Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Naomi Gruchacz; and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher F. Algieri, with the investigation leading to the guilty plea.

Register For Recreation’s Bocce And Cornhole Leagues

BRICK – Are you looking for some fun and social activities this summer? Why not join the Recreation Department’s Bocce and Cornhole Leagues? These leagues give you the chance to spend some time outdoors, meet new people and enjoy friendly competition.

The Bocce Leagues are held on Mondays or Wednesday evenings at Windward Beach from through August 9. Two-person teams will compete in a 10-week season consisting of single game matches followed by playoffs. The top teams from the Monday and Wednesday leagues will compete in a tournament to determine the overall champion. The league is available to residents ages 18 and over and the fee is $50 per team.

The Cornhole Leagues are also held on Mondays or Wednesday evenings at Windward Beach from through August 9. Two-person teams will compete in a 10-week season consisting of best-of-three matches to 21 straight. The season will be followed by playoffs. The top teams from the Monday and Wednesday leagues will compete in a tournament to determine the overall champion. The league is available to residents ages 18 and over and the fee is $50 per team.

Register in-person at the Recreation Office, located in the Civic Plaza, 270 Chambers Bridge Road. The office accepts cash, check or money order made payable to Township of Brick, or credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Discover). You can also register online using Community Pass.