Judge Thompson gets slap on the wrist in ticket fixing scheme

Richard B. Thompson (News12 photo)

Richard B. Thompson, 62, of Middletown, received a curiously lenient deal from Monmouth County Prosecutors on Friday when he pleaded guilty to one count of fourth degree Falsifying Records.

As the Municipal Court Judge in nine Monmouth County towns, Thompson altered records of approximately 4000 traffic tickets, according to an announcement by Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni. In his scheme which occurred between January 2010 and the date of his suspension in October of 2015, Thompson converted fines for motor vehicle infractions to contempt of court penalties.  He admitted that the purpose of the scheme was to enable towns that hired him to keep the money collected from wayward motorists rather than split it with Monmouth County, as required by state law.  The scheme cost Monmouth County’s treasury more than $500,000. Read the rest of this entry »

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Middletown Oxy Ring Busted

Suspended Doctor Caught Selling Forged Scripts for $300-$400

The Middletown Police Department in conjunction with investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and the State Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Affairs broke up a prescription drug enterprise Thursday night following a month long investigation, according to a statement by Acting Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Dr. Kenneth Lewandowski

Dr. Kenneth Lewandowski, 51, of Tatum Dr , Middletown, was charged with six counts of third degree Conspiracy, six counts of third degree Forgery and the Unlawful Practice of Medicine, also a third degree crime.  He was held at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution on $140,000 bail as set by Middletown Municipal Judge Richard Thompson.

Lewandowski’s medical license was temporarily suspended last April after he was arrested for DUI three times in the six weeks between February 14 and March 31.  His DUI arrests occurred in Middletown, Lakewood and Wall.  The Lakewood incident included an accident that resulted in injuries.  Lewandowski was charged with Assault by Auto in that case, according to the Order suspending his medical license.

Thomas Menendez, 50, of Geary Drive in Middletown is alleged to be Lewandowski’s partner in the criminal enterprise.  Menendez was charged with six counts of  third degree Conspiracy and six counts of third degree Forgery.  Judge Thompson set Menendez’s bail at $30,000.

Neither Lewandowski or Menendez are currently in the custody of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, according to APP’s Data Universe.

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