State Rep Calls For Investigation Into Nassau Police Department

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A state assemblyman from Nassau's North Shore is calling on the county to perform an investigation of the police department, following the arrest of a detective who was accused of working with the mafia.

Assemblyman Charles Lavine, a Democrat from Glen Cove, penned a letter to Richard Nicolello, the presiding officer of the Nassau County Legislature, asking him to have the Public Safety Committee launch an investigation into the police department.

"Every citizen of Nassau County has reason to fear danger when our public servants, including law enforcement officers, engage in corruption," Lavine wrote.

Nicolello, however, said he would not pursue the inquiry.

"It would be absolutely improper for the Legislature to insert itself into an active federal investigation," Nicolello said in a statement to Patch. "However, if Assemblyman Levine is so concerned with crime in New York he should consider repealing the dangerous bail reforms enacted by New York State Democrats."

Lavine's concerns arise from the arrest of former Nassau County detective Hector Rosario, of Mineola. Rosario was one of nine who were arrested last month and charged with working with the Genovese and Bonanno crime families.

According to prosecutors, Rosario took money from the Bonanno crime family in exchange for offering to arrange police raids of competing, illegal gambling locations. He is being charged with obstructing a grand jury and lying to the FBI.