Mangano sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for corruption

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Mangano sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for corruption
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, as seen leaving the federal courthouse in Central Islip in 2017. (Photo by Joe Nikic)

Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano was sentenced Thursday to 12 years in federal prison for corruption on Thursday by U.S. District Court Judge Joan Azrack.

Mangano’s wife, Linda, was sentenced to 15 months in prison for obstruction by lying to the FBI. 

The sentence falls short of the 17.5 years prosecutors sought for Mangano for accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for governmental action.

Federal prosecutors Catherine Mirabile, Christopher Caffarone and Lara Treinis Gatz submitted a 25-page memorandum in early March recommending forfeiture and full restitution for his victim’s losses, which includes over $11 million to Phoenix Life Insurance Company, which repaid defaulted loans and $4 million for Oyster Bay’s legal fees, prosecutors said. 

Mangano’s actions were far from one mistake and his “criminal conduct began the moment he was elected as Nassau County Executive and continued for years” prosecutors said.

Democratic legislators lauded the sentencing while claiming that current Nassau Executive Bruce Blakeman appeared to be bringing back Mangano’s style of governing.

“As one of Nassau’s darkest chapters draws to a close, we stand at a crossroads,” Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) said in a statement. “Unfortunately, there are indications that the Blakeman administration may be reverting to the questionable practices of the past.”

“Already, they are attempting to undermine the powers of the county’s independent Inspector General to investigate waste, fraud and abuse in County operations; are ignoring an anti-corruption order that blocks political party leaders from simultaneously serving in his administration; and are filling top government positions with individuals who have tainted track records,” DeRiggi-Whitton continued. 

Nassau County Legislator and congressional candidate Joshua Lafazan (D-Woodbury) said Thursday was a start to gaining public trust again.

“Ed Mangano’s sentencing today demonstrates that no one is above the law and that we have a long way to go to restore the people’s trust in government,” Lafazan said in a statement. “We must do better!”

The Manganos were found guilty of corruption charges in early March 2019. 

Edward’s conviction is based on a deal he made with Harendra Singh, a restaurateur on Long Island and a star witness in the trial, in which Singh kicked back money and personal benefits in return for pushing the Town of Oyster Bay to authorize loans for Singh, according to a previous news release from the U.S. attorney’s office. 

Mangano and his wife obstructed justice by conspiring with Singh to fabricate work Linda Mangano supposedly performed at Singh’s restaurant to prevent a grand jury investigation, the news release said. 

Prosecutors said that several weeks after Edward Mangano took office, he used his political influence to have the Town of Oyster Bay “indirectly guarantee” $20 million worth of personal loans to Singh for improvements to improve Tobay Beach and the town’s golf course.

Singh in turn paid for five vacations, hardwood flooring, a custom office chair, watch and a “no-show” job worth $450,000 for Linda Mangano as a marketing director for Singh, prosecutors said.

Mangano was confirmed to be working at Hungtington’s Oheka Castle in 2020, Owner Gary Melius told Newsday. 

Prosecutors previously said Mangano “led a culture of corruption that permeated throughout his administration: it rotted from the top down.”

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