The Nassau County District Attorney’s office alleges a high-ranking official lied on four occasions to attain county jobs.
Edward Korona Jr., 53, of Hicksville, was arraigned on a 12-count indictment on charges related to false statements he made, according to Acting District Attorney Madeline Singas. The indictment states the charges against Korona include four counts of second-degree perjury, four counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing and four counts of first-degree making an apparently false sworn statement.
Korona was released on his own recognizance and is due back in court on Jan. 8, when he faces up to four years in prison, according to Singas.
“The defendant—on separate occasions in December 2007, February 2010, April 2010 and June 2013—allegedly lied about a felony conviction on sworn job applications with Nassau County,” said Singas. “Integrity in government is paramount and it is a serious offense for a high-ranking official with important responsibilities to repeatedly lie about his or her criminal history.”
At the time of his arrest, Singas said Korona was serving as deputy commissioner of the Nassau County Office of Emergency Management. The indictment states Korona’s alleged crimes were uncovered during the course of the district attorney’s investigation into county contracts and the contract approval process. Singas said that in the context of this investigation, the qualifications and professional background of those involved in the administration of contracts may be subject to review.
Singas said it was discovered in September that Korona has a prior criminal conviction. The ensuing investigation revealed that while applying for civil service positions between 2007 and 2013, Korona allegedly checked off “no” to the question, “Except for the above traffic offenses, have you ever been convicted of any violation, misdemeanor, or felony?”
