An audit by Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman states the Hicksville and Franklin Square water districts are misusing thousands in taxpayers' money.

Weitzman has turned over his findings to the district attorney's office to investigate whether there was any criminal wrongdoing.

"Spending is going unchecked and it's clearly in need of reform," he says.

According to the audit, almost half of Franklin Square Water District employees are related to someone else on the payroll. And while the business manager's son is a water plant attendant, water district representative Carmen DiMartino maintains, "We make an effort not to give preferential treatment to anybody."

Weitzman's audit also says Franklin Square water commissioners got paid for meetings they couldn't prove took place, and received full health benefits for part-time work.

The audit shows the Hicksville Water District has a membership to Costco Wholesale Club in Westbury, where bulk packages of bottled water are sold. However, the district's Bill Schuckmann says employees do not drink bottled water instead of water from the tap. Schuckmann says the membership was bought in case an emergency requires the purchase of bulk bottled water.

Three Hicksville water commissioners took trips to conferences in Orlando and San Francisco, the audit shows.

Both water districts say they agree with some of the audit's findings and will make some changes.

For extended interview with the Nassau comptroller about his water district audit, go to channel 612 on your iO digital cable box and select iO Extra.