'Handyman' admits taking $322K UPPER FREEHOLD - A South Plainfield man pleaded guilty to stealing over $322,000 from a 77-year-old township resident. Michael J. Madden, 48, admitted to one count of second-degree theft by deception on Feb. 28 before Superior Court Judge Ira E. Kreizman, sitting in Freehold, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Pursuant to a plea agreement,Madden will enter into a civil judgment in favor of the victim for $322,545.61, the full amount of the theft. The terms of his plea agreement also provide for theMonmouth County Prosecutor's Office to recommend he receive a five-year New Jersey State Prison term when he is sentenced onApril 25, according to the prosecutor's office. An investigation conducted by the New Jersey State Police revealed the victim hired Madden in October 2004 to make minor repairs in her basement, which had flood damage. The victim contacted Madden after observing his classified advertisements in the Trenton Times under the headings "General Repairs" and "Handy Man," according to the prosecutor's office. During the course of the repair work, Madden told the victim that he was licensed by the state of New Jersey to conduct electrical work, according to the prosecutor's office. The victim's family became concerned in the summer of 2006 and subsequently contacted law enforcement authorities when the repair work was not completed even though the victim had written a large number of checks toMadden and his wife, according to the prosecutor's office. An examination of Madden's bank accounts revealed that 65 checks had been drawn on the victim's checking accounts fromapproximatelyOctober 2004 until September 2006. The majority of the stolen funds had been deposited into Madden's business and personal bank accounts, according to the prosecutor's office. Further investigation revealed thatMadden performed some electrical work at the victim's home, but was not licensed to do so by the State Board of Electrical Contractors, according to the prosecutor's office.