CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (AP) - Former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano took no formal government action when he expressed support for a town’s backing of loans for Long Island businessman Harendra Singh, the defense said in closing arguments Tuesday in the federal corruption retrial of the former GOP official and his wife.
“Attending a meeting is not formal government action,” defense attorney Kevin Keating said in U.S. District Court. “Expressing support for a position is not formal government action.”
Keating said Mangano’s actions didn’t fit the definition of a crime, adding that all his client did was “stand against a wall in a meeting.”
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Mangano is accused of helping Singh obtain guaranteed loans in exchange for lavish gifts, including a $7,000 watch for Mangano’s son, a $3,600 massage chair, and a $100,000-a-year, no-show job for his wife at one of Singh’s restaurants.
The Manganos said they had a two-decade personal friendship with Singh, long before Mangano was elected, and that any gifts or favors between the families had nothing to do with his office.
On Monday, Keating said the couple didn’t even want gifts by pointing to text messages Linda Mangano exchanged with Singh while inviting him to celebrate her husband’s birthday.
“No gift. Nothing please. Just your friendship. Love you,” she texted.
The couple’s first trial ended in a mistrial in May when a jury in Central Islip failed to reach a verdict after nine days of deliberations.
Closing arguments are to continue on Wednesday.
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Information from: Newsday, http://www.newsday.com
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