Former N.J. School Chief in Insurance Bribery Scheme Drops Suit

A former Toms River schools superintendent who admitted taking more than $1 million in bribes in a kickback scheme has dropped a lawsuit against the school district.

Michael Ritacco claimed in a lawsuit filed last fall that the Toms River school district improperly withheld money from a tax-exempt retirement fund it had set up for him. He also sought more than $60,000 in unused sick and vacation time he claimed he was owed.

Ritacco’s attorney requested to have the suit dropped in a federal court filing published Monday.

Ritacco pleaded guilty two weeks ago to public corruption and tax evasion. He was arrested in 2010 and accused of taking bribes as part of a scheme to inflate school insurance charges.