Harendra Singh sentenced to 4 years for bribing former Nassau executive
Singh, who remains out on bail, will also have to pay restitution from what will be his prison salary.
Harendra Singh was sentenced Tuesday to four years for bribing former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.
The 64-year-old restaurateur had previously pleaded guilty to bribery charges related to Mangano and other Long Island politicians. He admitted to paying off Mangano, his wife Linda Mangano and other town officials to get loans for his businesses and gain favors.
MORE: Court documents: Singh pleaded guilty, agreed to testify in Mangano case
The judge called Singh a "one-man economic crime wave" but imposed a prison sentence much lower than the recommended guidelines citing his cooperation, age, health and lack of a previous criminal record. The judge also made it a point to say that "the culture of corruption in Nassau County led to this day."
Singh's lawyers asked the judge for no jail time since he proved to be a key witness in the Mangano trials.
Defense attorney Anthony La Pinta says they are not shocked at the sentence, but they are disappointed
"I think it's too long in light of the extent of his cooperation," La Pinta says
Political expert Mike Dawidziak says he does not think anybody is going to be happy with the verdict. He says Long Islanders are probably wondering why Singh didn't get a longer sentence.
"I think people might question why is the person who admits they were doing the bribing and therefore is the start of the case if you will, you know, if he's not bringing, there's no offense," Dawidziak says. "The answer to that is he helped the feds make their case."
Mangano is currently serving a 12-year prison term for taking the bribes and then lying to the FBI about them.
Singh, who remains out on bail, will also have to pay restitution from what will be his prison salary.
His prison report date is Jan. 24, 2024.
Former Oyster Bay Town attorney Fred Mei was also sentenced Tuesday to 24 months in prison. He pleaded guilty to taking bribes.
Dawidziak says the fallout from the corruption scandal has sent a message to Long Island’s elected officials that they have to be a lot more careful.
News 12 reached out to a spokesperson for the federal government regarding Singh's sentencing and was told no statement would be released about it.
