Concerns on handling of inspector general’s role

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Franzese, a Massapequa resident who previously served as senior inspector general for the New York City Department of Investigations, was appointed to serve as Nassau’s first inspector general in 2019. Abrahams had said earlier the office was established after

Democratic legislators refused to authorize any bonds for capital projects for the last 2 1/2 in a push to establish the position.

The position was created following the arrest of former Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano in a political corruption scheme that he was ultimately found guilty of.

Mangano’s conviction is based on a deal he made with Harendra Singh, a restaurateur on Long Island and a star witness in the trial, in which Singh kicked back money and personal benefits in return for the county executive pushing the Town of Oyster Bay to authorize loans for Singh, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The inspector general’s role, according to county officials, includes conducting “the review, investigation, examination and audit” of all the county’s dealings. Both Nicolello and Abrahams were members of the bipartisan search committee that reviewed almost 25 resumes and conducted interviews.

Abrahams, at the time, lauded Franzese for her management experience, her questions of detail in regards to the funding of the new office, as well as the several cases she worked on in her current position that led to better practices in New York City.