Maragos donor hosts free fundraiser, shortchanged taxpayers $504,885
(Long Island, NY) Former Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman is calling on George Maragos to hand over to the county the $21,100 in political donations received at a fundraiser hosted free of charge by Carltun on the Park, Ltd., the exclusive operator of catering halls, restaurants, lounges, and a liquor bar at the Salisbury Inn in Eisenhower Park. Carltun has an exclusive contract with Nassau County for its services and is subject to audits by the Nassau County Comptroller’s Office currently run by Mr. Maragos.
Not only does the political fundraiser present a clear conflict of interest given the oversight role held by Mr. Maragos, but a 2009 audit conducted by former Comptroller Howard Weitzman found that Carltun shortchanged the county by under-reporting $4.6 million in revenues to the county. This under-reporting resulted in Carltun owing the county $504,885. Under-reported revenue included party service charges, catering and restaurant sales, forfeited deposits, gift cards, commission and vendor income, and income from valet parking. Concessionaire rent is based on the concessionaire’s revenue. Under-reported revenue results in artificially deflated rent paid to the County.
“Not only is Mr. Maragos financially challenged as Comptroller, but it appears he is ethically challenged as well,” said Weitzman. “He should turn over these donations to the county to help offset the half a million dollars owed to taxpayers.”
It appears that no effort has been made by Mr. Maragos or the County to recover the $504,885 owed to the County and Mr. Maragos has not publicly released an audit of Carltun since taking office.
Weitzman announces the revelations in front of The Carltun earlier this morning.
***Note: a copy of the audit in question is attached***
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.
