Norma Gonsalves, the Nassau County Legislature’s Republican majority leader, introduced County Executive Edward Mangano’s annual State of the County address shortly after 1 p.m. on Monday in the newly renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum, a major achievement of Mangano’s administration.
Gonsalves and other Nassau legislators applauded Mangano, also a Republican, as he touted the county’s economic growth and financial progress in the eight years since he was elected.
But three hours later, Gonsalves and eight other GOP legislators called for Mangano’s resignation outside his Mineola office — more than five months after his indictment on federal corruption charges.
“We need to lift the cloud that is above our county government,” said Legislator Richard Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park), the Legislature’s deputy presiding officer. “We need to restore the public’s faith in its elected officials. … We believe that for the good of the county, of Nassau County, and the residents that we serve, that our county executive should step down.
Gonsalves, Nicolello, and Legislator Howard Kopel (R-Valley Stream) — the Legislature’s top three Republicans — sent Mangano a letter Monday afternoon asking for his resignation “with great sorrow.”
Six other Republican legislators joined their call, but three did not: Rose Marie Walker of Hicksville, the mother of Rob Walker, Mangano’s chief deputy; Vincent Muscarella of West Hempstead; and Laura Schaefer of Westbury.
The nine Republicans said they gave Mangano the benefit of the doubt after he was charged in October in an alleged bribe and kickback scheme involving the exchange of county contracts for gifts and favors.
But in that time he has failed to combat the public suspicion that the Republican-controlled county government is not doing the “job of the people,” Gonsalves said.
The legislators praised Mangano’s work, but decided the county could not move forward with an “increasingly distracted” leader as it prepares to renegotiate labor contracts and reassess properties for the tax rolls next year while monitoring a tight 2017 budget, Nicolello said.
The final straw, Gonsalves said, was Friday’s arrest of Edward Ambrosino, a Republican Town of Hempstead councilman who has been charged with federal tax evasion and wire fraud. He was the sixth public official in Nassau whom federal authorities have arrested since 2015 — and the fifth Republican.
“Enough is enough,” Gonsalves said.
The move widens a divide in Nassau’s Republican Party — which has controlled the county executive’s office for 63 of the 79 years it has existed — in an election year when Democrats are eager to take it.
Three Democrats are heading toward a primary to run for the county’s top office. But the GOP has not named a candidate, and Mangano has not said whether he will seek a third term.
While they had for years supported Mangano and defended his policies, Republican county legislators have distanced themselves from Mangano in recent weeks, criticizing his administration for executing county contracts before the Legislature had approved them. That scrutiny will continue, Kopel said.
But Mangano has refused all calls for his resignation, including one from three Republican state senators on the day of his indictment.
In a statement, Mangano dismissed the legislators’ call as “a cheap political stunt orchestrated by a politician who, herself, broke the law.”
He was referring to Gonsalves’ failure to file reports disclosing who gave money to her political campaign for nine years, a violation of state election law.
“Unlike Norma Gonsalves, I have never been convicted of any wrongdoing,” Mangano said. “For the past seven years, I have effectively governed Nassau County and will continue to do so as outlined in my State of the County address.”
In that speech, Mangano said he had fulfilled the promises he made when he was first elected in 2009 — reforming the property tax assessment system, fixing the county’s shaky finances and growing the economy.
Mangano never mentioned the corruption charges against him or his Republican allies — including John Venditto, the former Oyster Bay town supervisor alongside whom Mangano was indicted. Venditto resigned in January.
“Together we tackled the status quo and defied the critics who, in the name of politics sometimes, seek to hold back our county, or define with mud,” Mangano said.
Mangano acknowledged continuing issues with the assessment system and called for state action to help repair it.
Only the state Legislature can repeal Nassau’s “county guaranty,” which forces the county to pay property tax refunds for all municipalities but villages.
Mangano did not mention the guaranty specifically, but said the county will no longer borrow money to pay refunds this year.
Mangano touted his administrations economic development efforts, which he said have created 25,000 jobs and employment opportunities. Those efforts include giving companies tax breaks through the Industrial Development agency as incentives to move to or stay in Nassau County.
Renovating the Nassau Coliseum and developing the vacant land around it will help support the county’s “new economy” by building an “innovation center” for the health care industry, Mangano said, including a new Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center that’s under construction.
The new Coliseum also puts Nassau in a strong position to draw the New York Islanders hockey team back to Long Island after they left in 2015, Mangano said.
“We built it, it’s up to them to come,” he said.
The county has gotten stronger fiscal footing by slowing debt accumulation and growing its reserve fund to $160 million from $60 million, while slimming the county workforce and holding property taxes down, Mangano said.
Much of Nassau’s annual surpluses, though, come from borrowed revenue, according to reports from Comptroller George Maragos; and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state-appointed oversight board, still controls spending and contracts.
State Assemblyman Charles Lavine and county Legislator Laura Curran, both Democrats running for county executive, condemned Mangano’s omission of corruption from the speech.
And Curran and Maragos, also a Democratic county executive candidate, said the Republican legislators were too late calling for Mangano’s resignation.
“Now they’re doing this, they’ve got elections coming up and now they’ve finally woken up,” Curran said in an interview. “Now they want to make it look like they’re on the taxpayers’ side?”
In his address, when Mangano mentioned Supreme Screw, a company that moved to Nassau County after getting tax breaks, he said the firm’s name sounded like “what I’m getting.”
“But I’m still here, chugging along,” he said.
Norma Gonsalves should be in Jail for her willful ignorance in matters pertaining to NCCC and NUMC. Norm Gonsalves is complicit in the cover-up of abuses at NCCC. She’s as corrupt as Ed- sticky-fingers -Mangano and his crony appointed cohorts at NCCC and NUMC. Norma Gonsalves breached her duties by failing to hold NCCC and NUMC accountable for the deaths of several inmates that were abused by jail guards: some resulting in sever injuries and death. Nassau County (former) Executive Thomas Gulotta was ordered by federal authorities to implement and install Cameras at the jail and NUMC’s medical wing following the (1999) beating (stomping) death of Thomas Pizzuto by abusive jail guards. Pizzuto was attacked and beaten for five minutes because he would not stop begging for his medications at NCCC. His death resulted in five killer jail guards being convicted on manslaughter charges and new reform policies at NCCC/NUMC. This reform policy included the implementation of Video Surveillance Cameras being installed at the jail and in NUMC’s prison ward for treating inmates. Cameras ordered by the federal government and Nassau County’s DA’s Office. Since Pizzuto’s death in 1999. Nassau County inmates have been subjected excessive force abuses that, in many cases, were caught on Video Surveillance Cameras that were approved by the legislature; Norma Gonsalves was a long time legislator that headed the Jail Advisory Board for NCCC. Despite her knowledge of the availability of the Video Surveillance Cameras to investigate claims of excessive force abuse by correctional guards, against prisoners at the jail. Norma Gonsalves contemptuous actions aided, abetted and facilitated in the cover-up of abuse by failing to hold NCCC accountable for the production and review of the Video Surveillance Files that was implanted to save lives. Inmates at NCCC have suffered un-imaginable abuses by abusive jail guards for years; while Norma Gonsalves showed willful disregard for the safety and security of correctional-staff and inmates. Her failure to show due diligence over the years have created a dangerous environment for prisoners at NCCC; most still awaiting trial. Darryl Woody, like Thomas Pizzuto, was begging for his (prescribed) medications when, he too, was attacked, beaten, brutalized by seven jail guards after Darryl was said to have attempted, what was described as, suicide attempt. He was repeatedly tortured by pepper gas ( and treated Successively by a Nurse) for seventeen hour before being transported to NUMC the next day for treatment and mental heath assessment by doctors. Day’s later, while “still” on 1to1 [Constant] Suicide-watch, Darryl Woody was said to have been “Found” hanging by a bed-sheet at NUMC. His [highly suspicious] death was ruled a suicide by the medical examiner; death by asphyxiation. [All} caught Video Surveillance Cameras at NUMC and at NCCC. NUMC, NCCC, the Jail Advisory Board and Nassau County’s (federally indicted) Executive ‘Boss Ed- sticky-fingers -Mangano have all conspired to Violate Darryl Woody’s Human and Civil Rights to a fair trail in Nassau County’s (corrupt) Supreme Courts in Mineola; where the lawsuit was politically engineered to be litigated instead of the federal courts where Darryl would get justice. Nassau County is hiding the truth! Darryl’s death was caught on Video Surveillance Cameras at NUMC and at NCCC. The Medical Center blames NCCC. The jail blames NUMC. Both conspire to hide the government protected (electronic) files that depicts Darryl Woody’s true cause of death by asphyxiation, while “still” on [Constant] Suicide-Watch (under doctors care) at NUMC. All captured on Video Cameras that Norma Gonsalves, in her official capacity on the Advisory Board and legislative member, failed to show due diligence in obtaining or reviewing. Tax payer purchased Surveillance Cameras implemented to save lives! This is a breach of Office and criminal collusion that’s one can reasonably assess as an attempt to obstruct justice in a death investigation. Failure to report is a crime. Malicious tampering with government protected files is a felony in New York State that carries up to seven years if convicted. Norma Gonsalves breached her duties as an elected public official in-charge of over-seeing the jail. Darryl Woody’s death is being covered-up and litigated in the (corrupt) Supreme Courts due to her contemptuous failures and omissions. She’s a former spokes person for NCCC and an honorary award recipient at NUMC. She’s also next door neighbors to Sheriff Michael J. Spasato and the Sheriff’s wife Elizabeth Loconsolo, Counsel for the Sheriff’s Department; A Conflict Of Interest that Norm Gonsalves knew for years. The Sheriff’s Department has been covering up abuse at NCCC since, before Thomas Pizzuto’s death put Cameras in the Jail. Since then Nassau Count has had multiple deaths occurring at the hands of killer correctional guards at the jail. In each instance there were Video Surveillance Camera footage available that would have shed light on the truth. Cameras intended to aid in investigations; to protect the integrity of an investigation, that Norma Gonsalves in her position on the legislature could have intervened. She failed to do so in efforts to protect the jail and the Medical Center from federal take-over as in the Pizzuto investigation where 40 federal agents descended on NCCC for several months following the attempted cover-up up Pizzuto death. Thomas Pizzuto who was killed for begging for his medications (that were being denied to him) got Video Cameras installed at NCCC by Thomas Gulotta. Darryl Woody, on the other hand was begging for his (prescribed) medications at the jail was denied the aid of the Video Surveillance Camera footage to prove his “True Cause of his Death by Asphyxiation. What’s NUMC, NCCC, Nassau County Executive (government) Administration Have To Hide? “We Can Handle The Truth!” Release The Video(s)!” This is a homicide that’s being covered-up as a suicide! There’s Proof! Darryl Woody’s death was caught on Video Cameras at NUMC/NCCC. Suicide Or Homicide! “You Decide!” Release The Video(s) !” “NOW!” Trial Date: September 11, 2017, at the (corrupt) Supreme Courts in Mineola, where the Vide(s0 are being injudiciously denied to our [compromised] sell-out attorneys. Three separate lawyers have been compromised by Nassau County’s pay-to-play political institutions with ties to the corporations that we are suing for wrongful death. This is a Federal Civil Rights Case that should be litigated in Federal Court. Nassau County has corrupted the judicial process and our attorneys. We have NO lawyer for this matter thanks to Pizzuto old lawyer Dennis Kelly Esq. Who took the case from Eliot Bloom and then mysteriously dropped us after setting a September 11, trail Date! Un-ethical(!) No it’s down right corrupt!v This is a “Major Scandal being perpetrated against an innocent mentally-ill pre-trial detainee, who was begging for his medications and medical treatment for injuries sustained at Williston Park Police Department where Darryl Woody was beaten by detectives during interrogation for a complaint-less crime, false arrest, on Christmas Eve 2010. The police described that incident as an apparent suicide attempt_also! That makes two attempts and the final (supposed) suicide that claimed his life. Tree incidents [all] captured on Video(S)! Not any of these Video Surveillance Cameras files have been produced for trill,despite the litigation-hold to preserve the government protected (electronic) files that proves that Darryl Woody was abused repeatedly and then silenced by killer jail guards at NCCC. No justice for Darryl Woody in Nassau County (corrupt) Supreme Courts in Mineola. Where are the Federal Authorities that ordered the Cameras to be installed? There was a federal probe following four suicides at NCCC in one year! The Feds know! I reported this matter to Michael Goidberger at the Eastern District Civil Rights Branch in Brooklyn N.Y. We took him the falsified files also. The Feds are in bed with NCCC and NUMC! No Justice for Darryl by the feds neither. This is a’Major Scandal! Norma Gonsalves is complicit for facilitating this cover-up. She’s a fraud, fake , and a phony. She’s corrupt and criminally complicit. Too bad she’s too old for Federal Prison where she and her fellow committee members should be! From Thomas Pizzuto to Bartholomew Ryan… “What About Darryl Woody!” Suicide Or Homicide? You Decide! “Release the Video(s)!” Index: 017721/2011. FOIL Request to no Avail!
The Kiss Of Death By the Leader ‘Boss!’ Mangano… Ed Mangano’s Request To His Former Co-Conspirators (Defendants) at NUMC.
Mangano and his Enterprise Corrupt Racketeering Regime is Conspiring (Together Again) to defraud Nassau County tax-payers in his latest scheme before he is jailed. Federally indicted Racketeering ‘Boss’ Mangano’s Corruption Scheme seeks to hire his former Associates at NUMC [Co-defendants] in the January 3, 2011 Cover-Up in the tragic death of Darryl Woody, a pre-trial detainee, whose death is a homicide! Nassau County’s Top Executive (Racketeering Boss) Edward Mangano, along with his Criminal Enterprising Regime (Operating, out of the Nassau County’s Sheriff’s Department) Conspired and colluded to hide the truth about Darryl Woody’s (supposed) Suicide. Darryl Woody’s death, as well as his criminal neglect and torture by jail guards, was all caught on Video Surveillance Cameras at NCCC and NUMC. Federal Government implemented, also ‘Government Protected’ (electronic ) Video Surveillance Files, that was ordered installed by Mangano’s predecessor Thomas Gullota, This ‘order’ in response to the 1999 beating and stomping death of Thomas Pizzuto. Thomas Pizzuto was also demanding his medications before he was abused tortured and then forced to sign a false injury report before he later died from his injuries.
Thomas Gullota had the video cameras installed to aid in investigations and to protect the safety of inmates as well as correctional staff from fraudulent claims and litigation. Mangano and Co-Defendants, in the Sheriff’s Department, colluded and conspired with NUMC to deny Darryl Woody his Due Process by Obstructing justice and tampering with the government protected Video Surveillance Files in a homicide. Darryl Woody, like Thomas Pizzuto, was also begging for his medication when he was attacked and tortured repeatedly with several bouts of burning gas in face and eyes. This abuse continued through several separate attacks that was all recorded by a Nurse that had to treat him four times. After the initial attack that occurred after Darryl Woody was said to have cut his wrist and neck, Darryl Woody was entered at NUMC until 16 hours later that following morning as the guards attempted to hide the incident by denying him proper medical assistance for his lacerations and wounds caused by killer officers.
Laura Curran’s first priority should be directed at ‘Boss’ Ed- sticky-fingers -Managano’s politically engineered health-care crisis at the jail that put NUMC’s Tragic-Care back in charge of inmates medical. Before Armor Correctional Health, there was NUMC’s Tragic-Care costing lives at NCCC. Nassau County knew about Armors numerous (pending lawsuits before hiring Armor. Nassau County [also] knows about the numerous lawsuits against NUMC. Nassau County’s (federally indicted) leader Ed- sticky-fingers -Mangano has managed, with the aid of his crony appointed Sheriff, Michael J.Spasato, has bamboozled Nassau County tax-payers taking the county backwards to the future with his enterprise corrupt agenda that puts lives at the jail in peril_inmates be damed! ‘Boss’ Mangano’s continuing criminal enterprise scheme, while under federal indictment for racketeering and bribery charges, has not stopped him from defrauding his constituents in Nassau County. Laura Curran’s first duty would be to recognize and expose Ed-sticky-fingers -Mangano’s regime that’s operating out of the Sheriff’s Department. NUMC’s medical; directors, Mangano’s crony appointed cohorts, have conspired to hide the truth about Darryl Woody’s (supposed suicide death on January 3, 2011, while “still” on 1to1 Suicide Supervision at NUMC. The Medical Center blames the NCCC. The jail blame NUMC. Both conspire to ‘Hide The Truth by denying access to the Video Surveillance Camera Files that depicts the true cause of Darryl Woody’s death by asphyxiation at NUMC_while ‘still’ on Suicide-Watch! Nassau County racketeering ‘Boss’ Ed- sticky-fingers -Mangano and his operatives at the jail, NUMC and on the Jails Advisory Board, along with Internal Affairs at the jail and the Homicide Division, have colluded to violate Darryl Woody’s Human And Civil Rights by obstructing justice in his death investigation by tampering with government protected (electronic0 files that depicts Darryl Woody’s True cause of death_asphyxiation, while “still” on 1to1 Suicide-Watch at NUMC. What’s NUMC, NCCC, Nassau County’s Executive Administration led by aAdministration ‘mobster’ have to hide? “We Can Handle The Truth!” Release The Video(s)!” “Now!” So Laura Curran’s litmus test should first be: Where does she stand on body-worn Video Cams for police officers that includes policies of transparency and [full] accountability. Then ask Laura Curran “What About Darryl Woody!” His death was caught on Video Surveillance Cameras at NUMC and at NCCC(!) Then ask that she [in person] file a FOIL Request for the public files. Index: 017721/2011. This is a “Major Scandal that’s being perpetrated against an innocent mentally-ill pre-trial detainee who was, like Thomas Pizzuto (1999), was attacked, brutalized, beaten and tortured with pepper gas (repeatedly) for seventeen hours, before being transported to NUMC. Days later Darryl Woody Would be “Found” Hanging in his room by jail guards that was [suppose to be sitting out-side his door at all times because of his history and an incident at NCCC. Darryl Was denied his medications and proper medical care at the jail and at NUMC. All caught on Video Surveillance Cameras! Prisoners Have Civil Rights Too. From Thomas Pizzto To Bartholomew Ryan… “What About Darryl Woody!” Index: 017721/2011. Trial Date: 9/11/2017 At the (corrupt) Supreme Courts in Mineola. Yes! This Is An Emergency!!!