Former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and his wife, Linda, were found guilty Friday following their second corruption trial at Central Islip federal court.
A jury convicted the disgraced Republican lawmaker of accepting bribes and kickbacks in exchange for official government action, but acquitted him of extortion and honest services wire fraud. Linda was convicted of lying to investigators. They were both convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice.
“In a quid-pro-quo wheeling and dealing, Edward Mangano effectively opened
the door that unjustly benefitted restaurateur Harendra Singh, sat idly by while public funds were exchanged for favors, and waited patiently in the wings to accept a payout for the plan he put in motion,” said William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI’s New York office. “In Linda Mangano’s case, she kept up the ruse with a bogus job as food taster and menu planner at one of Singh’s restaurants. Whether they believe it or not, today we’ve proven they bit off more than they could chew.”
Prosecutors said Ed awarded government contracts to Singh, his former restaurateur friend, in exchange for giving Magano’s wife a no-show job and other favors. They face up to 20 years in prison when they are sentenced.
Mangano indicated that his attorneys will appeal the conviction.
“I’m very proud of my service as county executive,” Ed told reporters outside the courthouse. “I would not and could not be bribed by anyone.”
Their first case ended in a mistrial last year following nine days of jury deliberations and a three-month-long trial in which their codefendant, former Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, a fellow Republican, was acquitted of charges he improperly backed a private company’s loans with taxpayer money. Although cleared in federal court, Venditto is still facing corruption charges in Nassau County court.
After being indicted, Mangano declined to seek a third term and was replaced by Democrat Laura Curran, a former county legislator. Republican Joe Saladino, a former New York State Assemblyman, replaced Venditto.
