Linda Mangano and Edward Mangano, outside federal court in Central...

Linda Mangano and Edward Mangano, outside federal court in Central Islip on Oct. 20, 2016. Credit: James Carbone

Linda Mangano, the wife of Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano, asked a federal judge Wednesday to throw out the criminal case against her or grant her a trial separate from her husband and former Oyster Bay Supervisor, John Venditto.

Mangano, her husband and Venditto were indicted in October in a “bribery and kickback” case centering on an unidentified businessman whom sources have identified as restaurateur Harendra Singh. They have pleaded not guilty.

In a separate action, Venditto was granted a delay by U.S. District Judge Joan Azrack in filing his pretrial motions in the case this week because he said he is also simultaneously preparing reply papers in a civil action being considered by the Securities and Exchange Commission involving Oyster Bay’s finances in its dealings with Singh.

Linda Mangano was charged with conspiracy to obstruct justice, obstruction of justice of making false statements to federal investigators on three separate occasions.

The indictment charges that she essentially received $450,000 for working for Singh, but in fact, the money was part of a bribery scheme.

Linda Mangano joined in a motion her husband made on Friday to have the case thrown out. She asked that several of the charges be thrown out on technical grounds and that the government provide her with more information underlying the allegations so she could adequately prepare a defense.

If the case against her is not thrown out, Linda Mangano argued that she had such a small role in the overall case — which mainly involves her husband and Venditto — that she should get a separate trial.

“The dramatic disparity gives rise to an unacceptably high, ‘meaningful’ risk that the jury could find Linda Mangano guilty merely by association, “she argued in court papers.

Edward Mangano also asked Friday that his case be dismissed or that he be granted a separate trial. He argued that a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision tossing out the corruption case against former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell showed that his actions also did not involve illegalities.

Eastern District federal prosecutors have until October to respond to any motions made by the Manganos or Venditto.

Edward Mangano and Venditto were each indicted on similar counts of conspiracy, federal program bribery, honest services wire fraud and extortion

A dumpster-diving whistleblower shed light on alleged corruption in the town of Oyster Bay. After two years reporting on the story, federal investigators have brought charges against Nassau's top politician and his wife, and a town's supervisor, in a case that began with a local restaurateur.  Credit: Newsday / Staff

Venditto’s attorney could not be reached for comment.

John Carman of Garden City, Linda Mangano’s attorney, declined to comment, as did John Marzulli, a spokesman for Eastern District federal prosecutors.

The trial has been set to start in January.

A winemaker. A jockey. An astronaut. We’re celebrating Women’s History month with a look at these and more female changemakers and trailblazers with ties to long Island. 

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