Local Author Explores Bethpage’s Hidden Water Crisis in New Historical Novel

Long Island native and U.S. Army combat veteran A.V. Loria announces the publication of Covered Up: A Family’s Battle Against America’s Hidden Toxic Water Crisis, a heart-wrenching historical novel rooted in the true, still-unfolding story of Bethpage’s contaminated groundwater and the Long Islanders living through the aftermath.

Set between local homes, courtrooms, and baseball fields, Covered Up follows the fictional Russo family and attorney Stanley Kearner as they unearth decades-old warnings, “do nothing” recommendations, and hard evidence of a contamination crisis the public was reassured did not exist. The book intertwines documented public records, real environmental history, and a dramatized legal battle to foreground the grit and heart of families persisting in the face of official silence.

“This story isn’t just fiction; it’s a mirror held up to the community I grew up in,” said Loria. “For decades, families in Bethpage and beyond have lived with questions, silence, and persistence. Covered Up honors their fight to be heard and reminds us that what’s beneath our feet, and in our water, connects us all.”

As Long Island towns continue to grapple with groundwater cleanup and the legacy of environmental inaction, Covered Up arrives as a timely reminder of the local stakes of health and justice, and a story for every reader who has ever fought for their home.

Book Details

• Title: Covered Up: A Family’s Battle Against America’s Hidden Toxic Water Crisis
• Author: A.V. Loria (Bethpage native, U.S. Army Combat Veteran)
• Genre: Historical fiction, inspired by real Bethpage environmental cases
• Publication Date: November 4, 2025
• Publisher: KDP (Amazon) and Barnes & Noble Press
• ISBNs: 979-8-9935729-2-5 (paperback), 979-8-9935729-1-8 (digital)
• Availability: Amazon and Barnes & Noble
• Format note: The novel is a work of fiction grounded in decades of local public records, agency memos, and documented environmental studies.
• High-resolution cover image available upon request.

About the Author

A.V. (Anthony V.) Loria is a lifelong Bethpage resident and decorated U.S. Army Combat Veteran, with more than 13 years of leadership experience and 50+ reconnaissance and surveillance missions globally. Loria is passionate about giving voice to community stories and invested in the ongoing fight for environmental accountability on Long Island.

Media & Event Availability

A.V. Loria is available for interviews. For advance review copies, press inquiries, or high-resolution images, please contact:

Media Contact:

Lauren La Franca
Lauren@StraightFM.com
516-430-6699 ext. 2