Tea Party George: Promoted Radical Agenda While Neglecting Nassau’s Finances

Radical, far-right views of Maragos out of synch with Nassau County

(Long Island, NY) After riding the national Tea Party wave into office in 2009, George Maragos spent his first term as Comptroller promoting the Tea Party agenda instead of focusing on the county’s finances.  As someone who aligns himself with the very Tea Party movement responsible for the current government shutdown, Maragos has shown that his views are equally reckless and irresponsible, and are central to his mismanagement in office over the last four years.

Maragos has promoted an array of radical Tea Party positions and touted being endorsed by the Tea Party.[1]  Meanwhile, Nassau County’s financial condition deteriorated while Maragos criss-crossed New York on a fool’s errand of promoting Tea Party ideas.  Under the negligent eye of George Maragos, a state board imposed tough sanctions on the county’s finances, the county underwent three bond downgrades, financial reports were submitted late, and the county’s debt reached a new all-time high.

What was George Maragos promoting instead of focusing on his work as county comptroller?

• Rejecting a woman’s right to choose “I personally do not support abortion as a form of birth control.”[2] – George Maragos
• Abolishing the Department of Education “So, why do we need a federal education department at all?  Why don’t we scrap it – terminate it.”[3] – George Maragos
• Comparing marriage equality to beastiality – relationships between humans and animals “Some people would even like to marry with their pets”[4] – George Maragos, expressing concern that marriage equality could lead to the legalization of beastiality.
• Opposing gun control “He is anti-gun control.”[5]

“Mr. Maragos is a Tea Party extremist who ignored his responsibilities as Comptroller to promote an extremist agenda out of step with Nassau County. The county’s finances collapsed while George was concerning himself with issues outside of the county,” said former Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman.

Maragos has attended numerous Tea Party meetings and rallies and boasted Tea Party support.  His Twitter feed clearly chronicles that Maragos was preoccupied with traveling New York promoting a Tea Party platform even while the Nassau Interim Finance Authority seized control of the county’s finances.

About Howard Weitzman, CPA
In 2001, Howard Weitzman became the only CPA ever elected to the office of Nassau County Comptroller after a 30 year career as a healthcare financial executive. He was subsequently re-elected to a second term in 2005. During his eight years as Comptroller, Howard Weitzman played a central role in the financial rescue of Nassau County. Under Howard’s leadership, the office of Comptroller became a national model for transparency and accountability while at the same time developing a reputation for groundbreaking audits, independence and integrity. A graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School and Queens College, Howard is the former Mayor of Great Neck Estates, where he and his wife resided for 35 years and raised three children. He is currently a resident of North Hills.

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