Sources: Investigators conduct search of Town of Hempstead's Building Department

Sources say Nassau County District Attorney's Public Corruption Bureau executed a search warrant at the Town of Hempstead's Building Department Tuesday.

News 12 Staff

Nov 19, 2019, 11:27 AM

Updated 1,626 days ago

Share:

Sources say Nassau County District Attorney's Public Corruption Bureau executed a search warrant at the Town of Hempstead's Building Department Tuesday.
News 12 is told investigators seized digital files from the town's IT department.
As News 12 reported, the Hempstead Town Building Department has come under scrutiny for the way in which it assessed damage to homes after Superstorm Sandy.
FEMA says the department's procedural errors could prevent homeowners from getting proper flood insurance, and may have left many out of compliance with FEMA requirements.
In September, in an unrelated incident, the Building Department's Deputy Commissioner John Novello was arrested and charged with stealing thousands of dollars from the Cedarhurst Republican Club.
Federal investigators are also looking into agreements between the town and a vendor at the Malibu Beach facility and other town properties.
Hofstra Law School professor and former Nassau County prosecutor Fred Klein says its not necessarily out of the ordinary for two investigations to take place simultaneously in the same town, but "The fact that it's both the Nassau DA's Office and the U.S. Attorney's Office, however, indicates to me that they have some indication of what they're looking for."
News 12 reached out to the Republican Town Board majority for comment. Counsel to the board Rich Regina told News 12, "Town Board members should not comment on active investigations. That being said, I am not aware of the district attorney's office contacting any of the council members regarding this."
A spokesperson for the DA's office declined to comment.


More from News 12
2:12
Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

Stony Brook University professor arrested during protest speaks exclusively with News 12

2:31
Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

Cooldown with sun for Friday; chances for wet weather for part of weekend

2:32
Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

Residents organize rally to demand cleanup of Bethpage Community Park

1:53
Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

Crowds gather again at Stony Brook University following night of 29 arrests during pro-Palestinian protest

1:39
Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

Runners are lacing up for the Long Island Marathon Sunday. Click here to see which roads will close to traffic

1:29
Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

Students at Wyandanch HS take part in 'Shark Tank' competition

0:44
Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

Top LI basketball players compete in annual Alzheimer's All-Star Classic

1:03
Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

Long Island Game Farm responds to USDA report on Bobo the giraffe's cause of death

0:22
Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

Police: Man stole over $1,200 worth of clothes from Ralph Lauren in Deer Park

0:23
3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

3 Long Island health care providers earn highest safety rating on Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:54
Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

Find the perfect dining spot on the Nautical Mile in Freeport

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

1:21
DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

DEC: 2 additional 'anomalies' found under baseball field at Bethpage Community Park

2:05
'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

'He didn't care about the consequences.’ Man pleads guilty to East Massapequa crash that killed 4

0:32
Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

Prosecutors: Shirley woman sold misbranded, adulterated weight loss drugs on TikTok

0:26
Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

Mets partner with Smithtown nonprofit to raise future service dog for veteran or first responder

0:24
Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

Man, woman wanted for stealing wallet in Huntington Station

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:27
Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments

Town of Hempstead IDA holds hearing on Hillcrest of Floral Park apartments