John Venditto to Resign, Looks to Clear His Name

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto, who was indicted on federal corruption charges along with Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano in October, announced his resignation Tuesday.

Venditto, 67, of North Massapequa, has served his position since January 1998. He said he is officially leaving his position Wednesday to focus on clearing his name.

“During the course of 2015, I decided that the 2015 election would be my last run,” he said in a statement. “Throughout my career in Town government, one consideration rose above all others, namely, what is best for the Town of Oyster Bay and its residents. Accordingly, I have decided to leave my position as the Oyster Bay Town Supervisor. I now feel that it is in the best interests of the Town and its residents for me to do so, especially since it will be difficult, if not impossible, for me to function as the Town Supervisor going forward, as I focus on clearing my name."

The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Venditto and Mangano received bribes and kickbacks from local businessman and restaurateur Harendra Singh in exchange for performing official actions that benefited Singh’s businesses within the Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County. Read more on the case here.

“I realize that a number people have formed an opinion of me over the past year or so, particularly in light of the federal charges that have been brought against me,” Venditto said.

Local leaders called on Venditto and Mangano to step down from their positions since the news of their indictments. Mangano has not given any indication he is stepping down as Nassau County executive.

Reclaim New York, a nonprofit that looks to benefit New York residents, said in a statement Venditto made the right decision in resigning. “Supervisor Venditto led Oyster Bay down a path of corruption, scandal, fiscal mismanagement and conflicts of interest," Reclaim New York said in a statement. "Combined with his seemingly unbending commitment to silencing his critics, shunning the press, and avoiding transparency laws, his long tenure leading one of the nation’s largest towns was all too often a glaring example of what is wrong with government."

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