Ex-Nassau probation officer Matthew Albertson sentenced to 6 months in jail over sexual relationship with probationer, DA says
The Nassau County Courthouse in Mineola. Credit: Rick Kopstein
A former Nassau County probation officer who had a sexual relationship with a female probationer he was assigned to monitor was sentenced Wednesday to 6 months in jail.
Acting Supreme Court Justice Robert Bogle also sentenced Matthew Albertson, of Smithtown, to 5 years of probation, Nassau prosecutors said in a news release. Prosecutors had sought 1 to 3 years in prison.
Albertson, 44, pleaded guilty in September to offering a false instrument for filing and official misconduct. Prosecutors said Albertson falsified — at least nine times — the woman’s file regarding drug tests and office and home visits. Albertson and the woman had a sexual relationship that began in November 2021 and continued through at least March 2022, prosecutors have said.
Albertson failed to report the woman used drugs — including fentanyl — and gave her about $8,000. He also co-signed a loan with one of her relatives so the woman could have a car, prosecutors said.
“Matthew Albertson engaged in a relationship with a warped power dynamic, holding his probationer’s future in his hands and ignoring all of the policies and procedures meant to protect probationers, officers, and the entire system,” Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said in a statement. “His betrayal of his sworn duty harmed the progress of the probationer he was assigned to monitor and support, and unfairly damages the reputation of probation officers who bring professionalism and dedication to their positions every day in Nassau County.”
Albertson’s attorney, Lloyd Nadel, of Mineola, said his client addressed the judge before sentencing and “expressed serious remorse” for his conduct. Albertson was taken into custody immediately after sentencing.
“Mr. Albertson had a stellar record as a probation officer until this incident came about,” Nadel said. “This incident was a serious error in judgment on his part. He understands the severity of what he did and he accepted the punishment that the judge gave out.”
Nadel added: “I thought 1 to 3 years in prison for what he did and for his record was severe and I believe the judge agreed with me. A 6-month sentence for a first-time offender is not a short sentence.”
The investigation into Albertson began in August 2023 when an attorney for the probationer reported the sexual relationship, providing screenshots of text messages to Nassau authorities. Albertson, who was fired from his $94,258 per year position that same month, had been a probation officer since 2008.
Albertson gave the woman about $8,000 in total over three months, prosecutors said, adding the woman used the cash for a car rental, manicures and food.
On Feb. 12, 2022, prosecutors said, the woman texted Albertson that she thought she was overdosing on fentanyl. Instead of calling for medical assistance, Albertson instructed her to stay awake and eat sugar, prosecutors said.
Albertson never reported the incident and later wrote in the woman’s case file that she was doing well.
Nicole Fuller is Newsday's senior criminal justice reporter. She began working at Newsday in 2012 and previously covered local government.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
Snow totals may be less across the South Shore A winter storm is expected to pummel LI as artic air settles in across the region. NewsdayTV meteorologist Geoff Bansen has the forecast.
