The Hammonton Gazette 1/31/24

Hammonton Insider : One-on-One with John Lyons & Luke Coia

INSIDE : PAGE 10

$ 1 00 hammontongazette . com Volume 28 • Issue 5 Wednesday , January 31 , 2024

STATE CLAIMS ‘ MASSIVE FRAUD ’ BY LOCAL FACILITY

Mullica Mayor Bruce Crowe dies

by Kristin Guglietti GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

MULLICA TWP ., N . J .— Mullica Twp . Mayor Bruce Crowe died on Jan . 25 surrounded by his family . He was 77 years old .

Atlantic County Clerk Joseph Giralo , a lifelong resident of Hammonton , was friends with Crowe for about 12 years .

“ He was a loyal person . He was always loyal to everyone around him and was always worried about what they thought and what their feelings were ,” Giralo said .

Giralo said Crowe was dedicated to Mullica Twp . for many years .

“ He was a down to earth person that always listened to all sides of the story and was very involved in all of the issues there ,” Giralo said .

When talking about Crowe ’ s accomplishments as mayor , Giralo said he was a big proponent of keeping taxes steady in Mullica Twp .

“ He was a big proponent of keeping taxes steady in Mullica Twp . and tried to provide services . I know that he worked hard on trying to get the new city hall

See CROWE , Page 2 in 120 days , according to a Jan . 25 press

by Dan Russoman release .

GAZETTE NEWS / SPORTS DIRECTOR The suspensions are temporary , pending completion of the OSC ’ s investigation and

HAMMONTON — Hammonton Center completion of New York State legal proceedings against the ownership . Accord- for Rehabilitation and Healthcare will lose New Jersey Medicaid funding on May 24 ,

ing to the release , Hagler and the Rozenbergs were accused of “ siphoning $ 83 according to the Office of the State Comptroller ( OSC ). million from nursing homes funded by The center is one of two facilities being

New York Medicare to enrich themselves .” suspended for what the state is calling evidence of “ massive fraud ” and poor care .

In July of 2023 , a New York Supreme Deptford Center for Rehabilitation is the

Court Judge found evidence of “ repeated other site to be suspended unless a monitor is appointed or some other type of ac- and persistent fraud ” so credible that she appointed a financial monitor and health

tion is taken to transfer control away from monitor to assess and manage operations , the current owners . according to the release .

The action was announced on Jan . 25 . “ When there is evidence of fraud of this

The OSC sent letters to owners Kenneth magnitude , and when a judge has acted to

Rozenberg , Beth Rozenberg , Daryl prevent further siphoning and self-deal-

Hagler and their entities that they would be suspended from New Jersey Medicaid

See FRAUD , Page 3

Police make several DUI arrests

MarySusan Hoffman / THG

Hammonton Center is one of two South Jersey facilities that could lose New Jersey Medicaid funding in May , according to the Office of the State Comptroller ( OSC ).

by Mohammed Fuad GAZETTE STAFF WRITER

HAMMONTON — The Hammonton Police Department ( HPD ) reported eight crimes that involve driving under the influence ( DUI ), an unwanted person and arrests for active warrants , according to Hammonton Police Chief Kevin Friel .

Corporal Kyle Ambrozaitis was dispatched to W . Orchard Street near Monroe Ave . in reference to an overturned vehicle , described as a Honda CRV , facing southbound in the northbound lane of travel . This occurred on Jan . 22 at 3:06 a . m .

The driver of the vehicle , Joshua Bruey , 25 , Hammonton , was still inside and was helped out of the vehicle by police . Bruey was found to have a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath in person and his eyes were watery and bloodshot . Bruey was evaluated by Emergency Medical Services

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( EMS ) and refused medical treatment , Friel said .

Bruey was charged with DUI , careless and reckless driving , and failure to maintain lane of travel .

Bruey was released , pending court appearance in Hammonton Joint Municipal Court ( HJMC ).

Officer Juan Guzman responded to a report of an unwanted person in the restroom of a convenience establishment in the prime block of N . White Horse Pike . This occurred on Jan . 24 at 2:55 a . m .

Police spoke with an individual who identified himself as Gene Caterina . Further investigation led to his legal name of Jennard Caterina II , 61 , Ancora , N . J . Caterina II gave the other name to avoid being arrested on warrants , Friel said .

Caterina II was found to have two active warrants out of Berlin Borough Municipal Court and Runnemede Municipal Court . Caterina II was charged with hindering apprehension or prosecution and was released on new court dates for the two active warrants .

Caterina II was released , pending court appearance in HJMC and the two respective court dates for warrants .

Officer Daniel Ramirez responded to the report of an erratic driver . Police were advised that a vehicle was all over the roadway driving recklessly on Route 206 heading towards Route 30 . This occurred on Jan . 24 at 3:48 p . m . in the area of Route 206 and Chew Town Road .

Ramirez observed a vehicle , identified as a Kia Soul , matching the description and stopped the vehicle for an improper display of license plates on Woodlawn Avenue and Route 30 . Upon approaching the vehicle , Ramirez detected an odor of marijuana emanating from the driver ’ s breath in person , Friel said .

See HPD , Page 8

New members inducted into NHS

Kristin Guglietti / THG

The Hammonton High School Chapter 1274 of the National Honor Society welcomed 74 inductees during the annual induction ceremony on Jan . 25 at the Performing Arts Center . Story on Page 4 . one dollar