The Nassau district attorney called retirement payouts in Long Beach a result of "shocking ignorance" and "incompetence." But after a lengthy investigation, no criminal charges will be filed.

Nassau DA Madeline Singas launched the probe in 2018 after the city failed to pass a $2.1 million bond to cover separation payments to some employees. Chief among them were Nassau County Comptroller and former Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman and former acting City Manager Robert Agostisi.

Audits found that $52,780 of Schnirman's payout was improper. According to the probe, Agostisi also received an improper payout of nearly $120,000. Schnirman has since returned the money.

Singas said the payouts were the result of "negligence " but were not illegal. She said investigators did not find evidence of the criminal intent necessary to bring criminal charges.

Roy Lester, a 68-year resident of Long Beach, says charges should have been filed and taxpayers deserve better.

"As she said, it was incredible their thought process. That's like a guy going to the bank, stealing money from the bank and saying, 'I didn't know it was against the law,'" says Lester. "You know at a certain point when somebody's knowledge or somebody's thought process becomes that incredible, I would think it becomes criminal."

The city is currently suing Schnirman and Agostisi for more than $2 million. Neither Schnirman nor Agostisi have returned News 12's calls for comment.

A spokesman for the Nassau comptroller released a statement: "The closure of the investigation confirms what the comptroller has said all along -- he deferred to the city's legal counsel on all personnel questions, including termination pay, and is the only person to voluntarily return the portion of the payment..."