Concerns on inspector general role

BY ROBERT PELAEZ

The Nassau County Legislative Majority will keep Inspector General Jodi Franzese in her position until at least the end of 2023 and her future status will be determined by a new group of legislators, ofcials announced.

Presiding Ofcer Rich Nicolello (R-New Hyde Park) told Newsday that the Majority will leave Franzese, the only one to be elected to the position in county history, until year’s end. Nicolello, who announced he will not be running for reelection last week, said the legislators who are elected this November will be the ones determining her status as inspector general.

Franzese has been serving in her capacity as a holdover since her four-year appointment expired at the beginning of the year, ofcials told the newspaper. Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) expressed concerns with a report mentioning the county’s checkered past involving corruption. He stressed the importance of having a non-partisan ofcial serve as inspector general.

“With Nassau County’s disturbing history of corruption, it is unfathomable that anyone would think it is wise to undermine the Inspector General’s Ofce, which was created for the sole purpose of preventing future scandals,” Abrahams said in a statement. “The Minority Caucus is not willing to accept the risk of a return to the waste, fraud, and abuse of the past. It is time to end the gamesmanship, reappoint the inspector general, and fully commit to the independence of Nassau County’s public integrity watchdog.”

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