In connection with a 13-count federal indictment, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, his wife Linda and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto were arrested. \u00a0 Charges include:\u00a0conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, honest services fraud, and extortion.<\/p>\n
Mangano is a Republican and the top elected official in Nassau County. \u00a0The county is\u00a0east of New York City on Long Island. \u00a0It\u00a0is one of\u00a0the top 50 wealthiest counties in the United States.<\/p>\n
Robert Capers, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York said: “Yet again, we announce a breach of trust by two of our public officials.”<\/p>\n
A co-conspirator, who was not identified, owned businesses, including restaurants in Queens, New York, and operates food concessions for county agencies. \u00a0 Prosecutors allege Linda Mangano was paid $450,000 during an approximate 4 year period\u00a0for doing little to no work for the co-conspirator.<\/p>\n
Prosecutors and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation unsealed the 20-page indictment on Thursday. Federal agents used two search-and-seizure warrants for Mangano’s residence and office. \u00a0William Sweeney, FBI assistant director in charge said:\u00a0“Public corruption wastes countless tax dollars every year, threatens the credibility of governmental institutions, and opens the door for further criminal activity.”<\/p>\n
Mangano’s arrest marks the latest in a string of corruption cases brought by federal prosecutors against local officials on Long Island.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"