Federal prosecutors are recommending former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano be sentenced to 17.5 years in prison for his role in accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for governmental action.

In their 25-page memorandum submitted Thursday, prosecutors say Mangano, 59, over five years exhibited behaviors that “evidences a total disregard for the law and a complete betrayal of his public office.”

Mangano, along with his wife, Linda, were found guilty on corruption charges in early March 2019. 

His bribery 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.

Along with the sentencing, prosecutors recommended to U.S. District Judge Joan Azrack Mangano pay 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. 

Federal Prosecutors  Catherine Mirabile, Christopher Caffarone and Lara Treinis Gatz also recommended the court issue a forfeiture order of over $500,000, the amount of bribes Mangano received for his wife Linda’s no-show jobs and vacations. In addition, they are recommending Mangano forfeit a Panerai Brand Luminor watch, which was given to their son.  

Prosecutors said that 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 will make oral arguments on March 23, the Manganos’ initial sentencing date. It has since been pushed back to April 14. 

Included in the memo was an analysis of over 80 public officials convicted of public corruption, used to justify Mangano’s recommended sentence of 210 months. 

Mangano’s defense attorney Kevin Keating said in previous documentation “as a matter of law, and fact, Edward Mangano is innocent” while adding he should receive a lesser sentence since Mangano has “lost virtually everything”…”all because 12 years ago a phony friend asked him to show up at meeting.”

Prosecutors said that “the jury already considered and rejected these specious arguments” in regards to the defense’s claims. 

In December, Richard “Rob” Walker, the chief deputy county executive during Mangano’s administration, was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison after attempting to cover up a $5,000 cash payment he took from a county contractor.

Walker, who pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in May 2019, was ordered by Azrack to pay $5,000 in forfeiture, a $5,500 fine and to complete 2,000 hours of community service, officials announced.

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

Efforts to reach Mangano’s representation were unavailing.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.