Hempstead town comptroller resigns amid FBI probe into contract extension

A Hempstead lawmaker who extended a contract that's being investigated by the FBI is retiring.

News 12 Staff

Aug 14, 2019, 12:07 AM

Updated 1,937 days ago

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A Hempstead lawmaker who extended a contract that's being investigated by the FBI is retiring.
Hempstead Town Comptroller Kevin Conroy, 62, filed for retirement days after the probe launched. He is one of the town officials who signed off on the contract extension with Dover Gourmet Corporation to operate Malibu Beach Park without town board approval.
Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen says she's not surprised by the timing of Conroy's retirement. As News 12 reported, Gillen has been an outspoken critic of the contract extension.
Gillen called out Conroy and Parks Commissioner Dan Lino for executing what she calls "a backroom deal" with Butch Yamali, the CEO of Dover Gourmet Corporation, without her knowledge or town board approval. She says the deal cost town taxpayers more than $169,000.
Town records show Dover Gourmet Corporation has not paid the town rent on the beach park facility for nearly a year, and now owes a balance of over $500,000.
Conroy issued a statement to News 12, saying he's retiring to deal with health issues and for no other reason.
The town has hired an independent legal counsel to investigate. Conroy is scheduled to retire on Aug.26.
Gillen is calling on Lino to do the same. Councilwoman Erin King Sweeney issued a statement saying she is a proponent of getting to the bottom of the contract extension with Malibu Beach Park , and she wishes Conroy well in his retirement.