Venditto’s No. 2: Singh had ‘the keys to Long Island’

The former second-in-command in the town of Oyster Bay returned to the stand Tuesday in the corruption trial of ex-Town Supervisor John Venditto, ex-Nassau Supervisor Ed Mangano and his wife, Linda.
Len Genova was former Oyster Bay deputy supervisor and John Venditto's right-hand man. He's also considered to be one of the prosecution's star witnesses.
Genova spent the morning naming names and detailing alleged politically motivated bribes between restaurateur Harendra Singh and himself, Venditto, other Oyster Bay officials and Nassau Republican Chairman Joe Mondello.
"When you're doing these things, you don't realize how egregious they are," Genova testified.
He said that free or discounted meals, free rides and events offered by Singh were in exchange for assistance, help and access to town and county officials.
In describing the effects of accepting bribes, Genova said, “He gave things to people at every level of government. It compromises your ability to think in ways that you should."
During cross-examination, Ed Mangano's attorney called into question Genova's character and actions as a member of the town Ethics Board. He also attempted to distance the former county executive from dealings between Singh and the town of Oyster Bay.
Defense attorney Kevin Keating asked Genova, "Would you say Singh had the keys to the town?"
Genova answered, "Not just the town, but the county…I would say he had the keys to Long Island."
Judge Joan Azrack estimates the case is only about two-thirds of the way through. As a result, she moved up the daily starting time to 9 a.m., and plans to shorten the jury's lunch break.