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CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) — The Latest on a federal indictment naming the highest elected official in a large suburban county outside New York City (all times local):
2:10 p.m.
Two suburban New York elected officials and the spouse of one of them have pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges.
Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano and his wife Linda were charged Thursday in a 13-count indictment that includes charges of bribery, extortion, fraud and obstruction.
Also named in the indictment was Oyster Bay town supervisor John Venditto.
The three were arraigned on the charges and each released on $500,000 bond.
Edward Mangano and Venditto, both Republicans, are charged with conspiring to receive bribes and kickbacks from a businessman in exchange for helping him obtain $20 million in loan guarantees.
Linda Mangano is charged with accepting a $450,000 no-show job at the businessman's restaurant, and lying to federal investigators.
The couple also face charges they accepted vacations and expensive gifts from the businessman.
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11:30 a.m.
A federal corruption indictment says a suburban New York official worked to amend town concession agreements so they could be used to indirectly guarantee $20 million in loans being sought by a businessman-restaurateur.
The indictment issued Thursday names Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, his wife Linda Mangano, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto.
It says Venditto, under pressure from Edward Mangano, worked to amend the town concession agreements. Under the arrangement, the town would repay the lender the entire amount if the businessman defaulted.
The indictment also says the businessman got "lucrative" government contracts, and paid Linda Mangano more than $450,000 for doing "little or no work."
The Manganos' attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Venditto's attorney declined to comment.
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10:45 a.m.
The highest elected official in a large suburban county outside New York City is charged in a federal corruption probe.
The indictment issued Thursday names Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, his wife Linda Mangano, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto.
Among other things, the indictment alleges a businessman-restaurateur who got "lucrative" government contracts paid Linda Mangano more than $450,000 "for performing little or no work."
Authorities allege that Edward Mangano and Venditto schemed "to solicit bribes and kickbacks" from the businessman.
They say the ill-gotten gains included hotel and travel expenses; limousine services; a massage chair; an expensive watch; and hardwood flooring at the Manganos' home.
The Manganos' attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Venditto's attorney declined to comment.
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7:45 a.m.
Federal authorities say the highest elected official in a large suburban county outside New York City has been indicted along with his wife and a Long Island town supervisor.
U.S. Attorney Robert L. Capers announced a press conference Thursday to discuss the case against Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, his wife Linda Mangano, and Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto.
The Manganos arrived at FBI offices with an attorney early Thursday. The attorney, Kevin Keating, did not immediately return a call requesting comment.
Venditto's attorney, Brian Griffin, declined to comment.
Spokesman Brian Nevin previously dismissed as "nonsense" allegations that Mangano had accepted free vacations from a businessman.
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