Former Town of Oyster Bay Official Dies In Prison

Former Town of Oyster Bay Commissioner of Planning and Development Frederick Ippolito died while in prison on Sunday, his attorney Brian Griffin confirmed.

The 78-year-old Syosset resident was sentenced to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion in September.

After working for the town for over 40 years, he was charged in March 2015 for evading taxes on the $2 million in consulting fees he received from the Old Bethpage-based Carlo Lizza and Sons, Paving, Inc., as well as from the Lizza family trust between 2008 and 2013, according to the U.S. Attorney.

Ippolito's cause of death is still unknown.

In a statement released by Griffin, he stated that Ippolito's legacy, which was visible through the beautiful structures, well planned developments and general building character of the town, "will be felt for generations to come."

"Until the end Fred fought to overturn a sentence that was both unfair and unjust," Griffin said in the statement. "Although today is a sad day for Fred’s family and friends, it is unfortunately not surprising given his age, poor health and the sentence he received.”