Williston Times 2018 09-21

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Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown

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Friday, September 21, 2018

Vol. 67, No. 38

MINEOLA FAIR

NORTHWELL SURGEON, WIFE CUOMO TROUNCES KILLED IN PLANE CRASH NIXON IN NASSAU

PAGES 41-56

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Ex Winthrop credit union COO charged Prosecutors allege $465K stolen over 7-year tenure, used for cruises BY JA N E LL E CL AUSEN A former chief operating officer for the Winthrop-University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union was arraigned in court on embezzlement charges on Wednesday, with prosecutors alleging she stole more than $465,000 during her seven-year tenure. According to prosecutors, Suzanne Silva, 35, of Carle Place allegedly made $465,172 worth of unauthorized transfers from the Winthrop credit union’s operating accounts to personal accounts for herself and family members. This money was allegedly used for Caribbean cruises, traveling to Cancun, and thousands of dollars each month for Amazon and Etsy purchases, prosecutors said. “As alleged in the indictment, Silva abused her authority as Chief Operating Officer and stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the credit union, which she used to

fund an extravagant lifestyle,” U.S. Attorney Richard Donoghue said in a statement Wednesday. “Today’s arrest demonstrates that this office will hold executives at financial institutions accountable for abrogating their duties and using their access to line their PHOTO BY JESSICA PARKS pockets.” Silva was arrested on Wednesday and appeared later in the day in fed- S.E.E.D.S. held a raffle for children’s books illustrated by Long Islander Lauren Castillo. eral court in Central Islip. Silva’s employment was terminated in June. Carol Kristianson, the president and CEO of Winthrop-University Hospital Employees Federal Credit Union, was not immediately available for comment Wednesday afternoon. According to the credit union’s website, its membership extends to employees, family members and volunteers of NYU Winthrop-University hand out at the fair and “didn’t “margaritas to go” among other BY J ES S I C A Hospital and a number of connected have one left over,” said Lucille drink specials. ! PA R K S businesses in the area. Ivan Garduno, the general Walters, chamber executive direcSilva faces a maximum 30 years’ manager, spoke of the high anticiAs is tradition, the weather tor. imprisonment if convicted, according was beautiful for the 40th annual “It was the first weekend it’s pation for the event. “Guests have to prosecutors. been nice out and I think people been asking about our specials for Williston Day Street Fair. Thousands of people were dying to get outside,” she the street fair since last week,” he Continued on Page 93 said.!! spanned Hillside Avenue between said. Restaurants on Hillside AvRialto, an Italian restaurant Willis Avenue and the East Williston train tracks on Sunday, visit- enue set up tables outside for at- in Carle Place, set up shop at the tendees to eat and drink. street fair for the second year in ing over 200 vendors. Margarita’s Cafe, a Mexican a row. Tara Fuentes and her husThe Williston Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the restaurant celebrating its second band, chef Mario Fuentes, sold Continued on Page 20 event, brought 5,000 tote bags to year in Williston Park, served

Williston Day Street Fair shines brightly at 40

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