The founder of an Egg Harbor Township charter school is accused of misrepresenting contracts that paid his business $115,000.
Peter Caporilli, of Principle Academy Charter School, is charged with three counts, including false payment for a government contract and misapplying more than $1,000 in government funds.
The Absecon man allegedly worked with others in the negotiation of the contract or contracts with his Tidewater Workshop, also known as Modern Boat Works, located in Pleasantville.
The affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC does not name the alleged co-conspirators, but says their "identities are known to the state."
Caporilli referred comment to his attorney, Vincent Sarubbi.
"Under the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Jersey, all persons accused of violating the New Jersey Criminal Code are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt," Sarubbi told BreakingAC. "Our system of justice instructs us that judgement of any accused person should be suspended until there is an opportunity to refute and defend the allegations at a fair trial or other court proceeding.
"On behalf of Dr. Caporilli and Modern Boat Works, Inc. doing business as Tidewater Workshop (“MBW”), we look forward to the opportunity to present the results of our investigation into the State’s accusations; and, at the appropriate time, present evidence supporting the innocence of Dr. Caporilli and MBW," he added.
Sarubbi would not comment on specifics of the case.
A source close to the investigation told BreakingAC that Caporelli abstained from any votes related to awarding of contracts or payments to MBW. At least one of the contracts was the result of a competitive bid, with MBW coming in below the threshold.
No concerns were ever raised by the Board of Trustees, school administrators or legal representatives, the source said.
The charges were first filed in Pleasantville Municipal Court in January, and were sent to the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office. It is not clear where they currently stand.
Between Aug. 29, 2018 and Jan. 28, 2019, Caporilli and others "made one or more material representations that he knew were false in connection with the negotiation, award or performance of one or more government contracts."
Those contracts were awarded to Tidewater to design, build, install and deliver an outdoor learning center and outdoor playground, the affidavit states.
Principle paid Caporilli's company about $115,000.
Tidewater has been in business since 1991, but it actually started in Atlantic City around 1905 with Caporilli's great-grandfather, according to his message on the website.
The company is now being sold after the founding family decided to retire, another message on the site says.
Caporilli was also a defendant in a suit filed by suspended Pleasantville Superintendent Natakie Chestnut-Lee, after her termination from the International Academy of Atlantic City, where she was founding director.
The settlement resulted in the termination being changed to a resignation on Chestnut-Lee's behalf.
Caporilli even wrote her a recommendation Jan. 31, 2020.
Chestnut-Lee said she did not work with Caporilli at Principle Academy, and only knew of the charges "through chatter within the community."
