Nassau County DA Singas announces the indictment of seven individuals related to corruption in Oyster Bay

MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas announced, June 29 that former Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, former Parks Commissioner Frank Nocerino and Richard Porcelli, the deputy executive leader of a political club, were arraigned, June 29, on charges related to the illegal hiring and firing of a town employee.

John Venditto, 68, of Massapequa, was arraigned today, June 29 before Supreme Court Justice Charles Wood and charged with Corrupt Use of Position or Authority (an E felony), three counts of Official Misconduct (an A misdemeanor) and Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree (a B misdemeanor). If convicted of the top count, the defendant faces up to 1-1/3 years to four years in prison.

Richard Porcelli, 70, of Ronkonkoma, the deputy executive leader of the North Massapequa Republican Club was arraigned today before Supreme Court Justice Charles Wood and charged with two counts of Official Misconduct (an A misdemeanor) and Conspiracy in the Sixth Degree (a B misdemeanor). If convicted of the top count, Porcelli faces up to a year in prison.

Frank Nocerino, 65, of Massapequa, was arraigned today before Supreme Court Justice Charles Wood and charged with Official Misconduct (an A misdemeanor). If convicted, Nocerino faces up to a year in prison.

The defendants pleaded not guilty and are due back in court on September 26. They were released on their own recognizance.

“Former Supervisor Venditto and his associates are charged with corruptly orchestrating the hiring of a town employee at an inflated salary and firing him months later at Frederick Ippolito’s self-serving request,” said DA Singas. “Taxpayers are victimized when public employment is abused to advance the personal interests of the powerful.”

DA Singas said after the federal conviction of Town of Oyster Bay Commissioner of Planning Development Frederick Ippolito on tax evasion, Ippolito continued to exercise influence over town matters.

According to the indictment, Supervisor Venditto directed Parks Commissioner Nocerino to hire Individual B to work in the town Parks Department at the behest of Ippolito.  Venditto directed the hiring of Individual B even though the town was not hiring new employees and openly discussing laying off existing employees because of a financial crisis. Nocerino knew that hiring Individual B was wrong for the above reasons, as well as others, including that Individual B was to be paid more than twice the appropriate salary for his position. Months later, Ippolito directed that Individual B be fired. Venditto and Richard Porcelli – deputy executive leader of the North Massapequa Republican Club and close associate of the supervisor – agreed to fire Individual B and that the Town of Oyster Bay would fire other employees to divert attention from the firing of Individual B.

Individual B was paid more than other employees and was instructed not to discuss his terms of employment. Months later, Ippolito directed that Individual B be fired. Venditto and Richard Porcelli – deputy executive leader of the North Massapequa Republican Club and close associate of the supervisor – agreed to fire Individual B and that the Town of Oyster Bay would fire other employees to divert attention from the firing of Individual B.

Venditto is represented by Mark Agnifilo, Esq., Porcelli is represented by Frank Casale, Esq. and Nocerino is represented by Christopher Devane, Esq.

The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless found guilty.

(Source: NCDA website)