At noon on Tuesday, Jan. 6, Madeline Singas of Manhasset was sworn in as Nassau County Acting District Attorney. She replaces former DA Kathleen Rice, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives this past November. Rice took the oath of office with fellow members of Congress that same morning. There will be an election for Nassau County DA in November for a new four-year term as required by law.
Off and running for this position, Singas is eager to capture the Democratic nomination for DA. She began vigorous fundraising only one month ago, holding several high-profile fundraisers throughout Nassau County. Every fundraiser was packed with wall-to-wall eager supporters. More than 100 to 250 enthusiastic individuals attended each event. Many Manhasset neighbors and friends were thrilled and proud to be there to support a local resident for such an important position.
Singas’ demeanor, fairness and brilliance captivated the guests. Whether they were friends, family members or business associates, they were thrilled to help jumpstart her campaign.
Many guests could be seen taking selfies with her throughout the evening at each fundraiser. This support has translated into highly credible and substantial contributions for her race.
Known for her integrity and professionalism, she previously served as Nassau County’s Chief Assistant District Attorney, working to keep the county one of the safest among America’s largest communities. She has supervised more than 350 employees and prosecuted 30,000 criminal cases each year.
A graduate of Bronx High School of Science, Columbia University and Fordham Law School, Singas began her career in 1991 as a Queens County prosecutor, and was quickly promoted to the Domestic Violence Bureau in a leadership position.
As Chief of Nassau County’s Special Victims Bureau, she successfully prosecuted some of the county’s most notorious crimes. Notably, she obtained a rare first-degree murder conviction and life sentence against Leonardo Valdez Cruz for the torture and murder of his girlfriend, Joanna Bird.
Singas helped design, manage and implement groundbreaking programs to combat gun violence, gangs and domestic violence, as well as prescription drug abuse plaguing Long Island.
She is also known as an innovator in criminal justice, having overseen ground-breaking juvenile justice programs such as Youth Court and Adolescent Diversion, thereby coordinating resources to rehabilitate young offenders, while maintaining public safety and reducing tax burdens.
As Chief Assistant DA, she also helped implement specialized courts to assist human trafficking and domestic violence victims, as well as recognized unique situations of veterans and those who suffer from mental illness or drug dependency.
She has worked with criminal justice leaders across the New York State spectrum to craft the Innocence Project, which is critical legislation to reform the eyewitness identification process.
A dynamic and gifted individual, Singas’s Greek heritage is the American immigrant story. She is first-generation American. Her parents emigrated from Greece to the United States, settling in Astoria, Queens. Although coming from humble beginnings with no education, like many immigrants before them, they toiled long and hard so that their daughters could achieve and live the American dream. Factoring in ambition, as well, they set high academic standards for Madeline’s sister Effie, who is a physician, and Acting DA Madeline, an attorney. They knew that education was and is the key to success. Unfortunately, they did not live to see their daughter sworn in as Acting District Attorney of Nassau County.
