Attorneys for former Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano and his wife Linda spent the last few days challenging the testimony of Harendra Singh, the restauranteur who said he bribed the Manganos in exchange for government contracts.
On Tuesday, Singh admitted that Linda Mangano, who he said he had hired for a no-show job, did more work than he realized. According to Newsday, Linda’s attorney John Carman presented several emails of Linda reaching out to the managers of Singh’s restaurants, offering to work weekends and discussing proofs for new menus.
“I had no idea,” Singh said of the interactions, Newsday reported.
Singh had previously testified that Linda was given the no-show, $450,000 job in order to secure contracts from her husband.
The exchange was part of the fourth week of the Manganos’ and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto’s trial in Central Islip.
Edward Mangano and Venditto are charged with conspiracy to commit federal program bribery and honest services wire fraud. Mangano was additionally charged with extortion and Venditto with securities fraud.
Linda Mangano is charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, making false statements to the FBI and obstruction of justice. All three have pleaded not guilty.
Attorneys presented Singh with evidence all week that contradicted his claim that his gifts to the Manganos were given in exchange for contacts.
On Monday, a wiretapped conversation between him and a retired Nassau police detective was presented.
During the call, Singh said that he didn’t have any story about any politician and that anything he could tell investigators would be “all lies,” Newsday reported.
Singh replied by saying he was lying at the time, in order to protect the people he was doing business with.
Carman sought to establish a close connection between Singh and Linda, like Ed Magano’s attorney Kevin Keating did last week.
He displayed text messages where the two referred to each other as close friends, and Carmen insinuated that Linda’s job was due to that friendship, not because Singh wanted access to Mangano, Newsday reported.
Other evidence was presented to contradict Singh’s testimony that Linda did nothing while working for him.
Correspondences with Joseph Scalice, then the general manager of one of Singh’s restaurants, referred to Linda Mangano as “terrific,” Newsday reported. He said that she appeared in her office, made phone calls, got price quotes and discussed details of the business.
Singh was also cross-examined by Venditto’s attorney Marc Agifilo.
He questioned Singh about the loan guarantee Singh received from Oyster Bay. Singh had called the objections to the loan from outside counsel Jonathan Sinnreich “devastating,” Newsday reported, but Agifilo pointed out that those objections were minor.
Unlike the Manganos, Singh said that he was never close to Venditto.
“I was not friends with John Venditto,” Singh said, according to Newsday. “We had a business relationship.”
It started with the fictitious title of “Food Taster” for the “No Show” job; the non-existent title in the hospitality industry…that those of us, with expertise, are clearly aware of. The chief “food taster” of any establishment is none other than the Executive Chef…(unless, of course,
the Executive Chef and Proprietor are one in the same). The bottom line is that the Executive Chef puts the “last stamp of approval” on any delectable and glorious dish served. As Executive Chef, “The Master of the Kitchen”, he or she is solely responsible for what is considered to be beyond satisfactory…simply outstanding…no one else dictates that. Apparently, these fictitious titles (ie: food taster) are clearly indicative of a complete lack of knowledge/experience. Moreover, this “grasping for straws” is an overt demonstration to, at least, convey something of substance regarding their own performance, of any kind, in defense of their annual triple digit “awarded” no-show job salary…(which, I might add was without requirement of a resume or an interview). Unreal…simply unreal. Oh, by the way, working on weekends-(or part of the weekend)-well, that goes with the territory in the hospitality industry. I’ve spent my life in the industry. My dear colleagues and I didn’t “appear” at work, (like an apparition), when we felt like it.
No, we “showed up” at work “to work” in order to receive a paycheck.
My dear colleagues and I didn’t make “appearances” at work. In order for us to “keep” our jobs…we needed to be “on the job”…visible to all…to perform our duties that we were being paid for. Things did not come easy to any of us. We put in major long hours…worked all holidays…and exerted elbow grease beyond measure. I do not have any regrets…none at all…for I have exercised respect for any job
I have held with the utmost integrity and honesty. Also, I just want to
give recognition to all of the wonderful Waiters, Waitresses, Bartenders,
Dishwashers, Bridal Attendants, Maitre’d/Banquet Managers I know through my “40” years in the industry. Without these loyal and hardworking employees…who work tirelessly for their salaries.
Well, without them, no establishment could function to their optimum
capacity; these are the valuable individuals that make it happen!
Kudos To All Of You Who Work So Hard To Serve Everyone Else!