DA: Hempstead Town official stole $59,000 from GOP club to pay for trips, mortgage

Hempstead Town Deputy Building Commissioner John Novello surrendered to authorities Thursday morning following a grand larceny indictment that charges him with stealing nearly $60,000 from the Cedarhurst Republican Committee.

Novello, 51, of Hewlett Harbor, pleaded not guilty Thursday to the grand jury indictment in Nassau County Court.

Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said Novello stole about $59,000 from the committee to pay for personal expenses, including mortgage payments, luxury candies and trips to the Hamptons.

“It was pretty egregious,” Singas said. “He was stealing from a political club from people who were donating money for causes and candidates they believed in, and pocketing money for his own personal expenses.”

Read more: https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/hempstead-commissioner-charged-1.35927558