Campers' parents file suit against town over election letter

<p>Angry parents filed a class-action lawsuit against the Town of Hempstead, claiming the the privacy of their special needs children was violated after political letters were mailed to several families.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 5, 2017, 10:09 PM

Updated 2,356 days ago

Share:

Angry parents filed a class-action lawsuit against the Town of Hempstead, claiming the the privacy of their special needs children was violated after political letters were mailed to several families.
The parents say the Town of Hempstead runs the nonprofit Camp Anchor program that their special needs children attend. They say a town official recently sent a letter to campers' families, urging them to re-elect Town Supervisor Anthony Santino on Election Day.
The letter was signed by Hempstead Town Attorney William Muller and his wife, Diana. It said their son, Richard, attends Camp Anchor and that activities there were "only made possible" because of Santino.
The families and their lawyer say information about their special needs kids is supposed to be private, and that their identities and medical information are protected under state and federal law. But somehow, the parents say, Muller was able to obtain the private information to further Santino's candidacy for re-election.
“To use other special needs children's information for politics is really hurtful,” said Milagros Vicente, of Valley Stream.
The lawsuit, filed online Sunday, will be physically delivered Monday to the Town of Hempstead, Santino and Muller.
In a statement, the town said, ”Mr. Muller acquired such a list, in his capacity as a private individual, in response to a properly executed Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) request."

But the attorney for the families says the information does not fall under the FOIL Act.


More from News 12
1:30
Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

Police: Car drives into Plainview dance studio; 3 suffer minor injuries

2:03
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

1:50
Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

Concern growing over homeless shelter near West Babylon day care

2:00
John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

John Theissen Children's Foundation opens Family Fun Center in Wantagh

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex