Ex-Nassau Probation Officer Accused Of Hiding Sexual Relationship With Probationer: DA

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — A former Nassau County probation officer was indicted in connection with concealing sexual relations with a probationer he was supervising, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said Tuesday.

Matthew Albertson, 42, of Smithtown, was charged with offering a false instrument for filing, falsifying business records, and official misconduct after he was accused of giving a probationer money, gifts, co-signing a car loan and falsifying records to cover up an improper relationship, the DA said.

"Probation officers are in a position of great trust, assisting people with criminal justice involvements to restart their lives and avoid reoffending," Donnelly said in a news release. "This defendant allegedly exploited his power and compromised his sworn duties by pursuing and engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a probationer that he was supervising. Albertson's alleged actions flew in the face of the Nassau County Probation Department’s rules and failed the probationer he should have been lawfully and ethically supporting through this process."

In August 2023, an attorney for the female probationer reported to county authorities that Albertson, a Nassau County probation officer, engaged in a sexual relationship with the woman while she was under his supervision, Donnelly said. The attorney provided screenshots of text messages and other supporting documentation claiming that the relationship began in approximately November 2021 and continued through at least March 2022, the DA said.

NCDA opened an investigation into the allegations, officials said.

On nine separate occasions, between January 2022 and August 2023, Albertson falsified case notes regarding drug tests, office visits, and home visits concerning the probationer, investigators said.

Albertson made entries stating that the probationer was drug tested at her home and at the Nassau County Probation Department, officials said. However, evidence revealed no one from the probation department administered a drug test to her while she was being supervised by
Albertson, authorities said.

Albertson also made entries that a phone call check-in, home visits, and office visits were made on specific dates, the DA said. Phone records, text messages between Albertson and probationer, and other evidence showed that the check-ins did not occur, prosecutors said.

Between December 2021 through March 2022, while supervising the probationer, Albertson was accused of engaging in a sexual relationship with the woman, including during a home visit, in violation of written probation rules that prohibit intimate relationships between officers and their probationers, investigators said.

Records also show that on Jan. 14, Albertson entered into a vehicle purchase contract and financial loan obligation with the probationer’s family member to purchase a car for the probationer in another violation of agency rules, the DA said.

From Dec. 22, 2021, through and including Feb. 13, 2022, Albertson also gave the probationer money on 18 separate dates, totaling $8,000, for a car rental, manicures, food, and other expenses, authorities said.

On Feb. 12, 2022, Albertson’s probationer texted him that she feared she was suffering from a fentanyl overdose, officials said. Albertson told the woman to stay awake, wake up her mother, and eat sugar, but did not seek medical assistance or emergency services for her, investigators said.

After the incident, Albertson did not report any drug use to probation and later filed a case note reporting that the probationer stated she was doing well, prosecutors said.

Albertson surrendered to NCDA detective investigators on Wednesday, Donnelly said.

Albertson was arraigned on nine counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing; nine counts of second-degree falsifying business records; and seven counts of official misconduct.

Albertson is represented by Lloyd Nadel and pleaded not guilty.

"They're claiming he violated several statutes regarded to record-keeping," Nadel told Patch. "We're waiting to look at the discovery to see what proof they have as to exactly what he may or may not have violated."

Nadel said Albertson was a probation officer for 15 years and had a "very, very good record."

"We're going to look into seeing what substantiation they have for their proof here, really," Nadel said.

Albertson was released on his own recognizance. He is due back in court on Nov. 6. If convicted, Albertson faces up to a maximum of 1-1/3 to four years in prison.

"If you believe that you or someone you know may have been victimized by Matthew Albertson, please contact NCDA’s Public Corruption Bureau at 516-571-0192," the DA's Office wrote.