Week in Review: Vengeful Hacker Busted, Gas Station Fined for Gouging

Sweetbriar Reptile Event Creates Mini Media Frenzy
This past weekend, Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown held a Reptile Amnesty Day where people with illegal lizards and amphibians could turn them in no questions asked. The day netted the agencies that took part in the event a cache of animals that might have otherwise ended up being released into the wild, as a man who was drinking his coffee one morning found out when four alligators floated by him in the Peconic River.

The event turned into a mini media frenzy with coverage coming from major news outlets like the The New York Post, CBS, Newsday and other local papers.

Naturally Free Food Finds its Niche in Smithtown
A Smithtown resident confronted with the challenge of finding gluten-free foods for her family has turned it into a business to make shopping easier for others.

Christine Mitchell is preparing to celebrate the second anniversary Naturally Free Food, a 100 percent gluten-free food store off Singer Lane in Smithtown next door to the Millennium Diner. Mitchell said while shop has become a haven for those on a gluten-free diet and other special dietary needs. 

State Fines Smithtown BP Station For Gouging After Sandy
On Friday, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed lawsuits against three Long Island gas stations and one in Brooklyn, and announced settlements with 24 other stations in the New York Metro area – including one in Smithtown – all accused of taking advantage of panicked locals as they searched for gas amid post-storm fuel shortages. 

FBI: Smithtown Hacker Bent on Revenge After Losing Promotion
A Smithtown man was arrested Thursday after the FBI said he hacked into his former employer's computer network and caused $90,000 in damages – all because he lost out on a promotion.

The FBI said Michael Meneses, 41, was a software engineer at a local manufacturer of high-voltage power supplies when he resigned in December 2011 after getting upset about not moving up the company chain. 

Democratic Newcomer Hopes to Unseat Kennedy in Suffolk Legislature
Smithtown resident Gary Jacobs announced last week he will be running as the Democratic candidate for Suffolk County Legislature's 12th District. A political newcomer, Jacobs will run against incumbent Legis. John Kennedy Jr., R-Nesconset. 

State Audit: Village Building Inspector Took More than $70K in Fees
New York State comptroller Tom DiNapoli has suggested the Village of the Branch re-examine its financial operations after finding the building inspector made more than $80,000 in just over a year - collecting more than $70,000 in fees alone. 

The state comptroller's office released an audit of the Village of he Branch's finances from June 1, 2011 to Oct. 31, 2012 that found the village's building inspector Jerry Harris made $84,197 during that time.