Edward Mangano not on government witness list for Dean Skelos trial, defense lawyer says

Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano is not on the government witness list for the upcoming trial of state Sen. Dean Skelos, a defense lawyer said at a hearing in federal court in Manhattan Friday.

Mangano was considered a possible witness because the allegations against Skelos include a charge that he pressured Nassau to fund a $12 million storm-water treatment contract for AbTech, a technology company that hired his son Adam Skelos, and prosecutors have cited discussions between the senator and Mangano.

Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) is accused of doing favors for AbTech, an Arizona environmental technology firm, New Hyde Park developer Glenwood Management, and malpractice insurer Physicians Reciprocal Insurance of Roslyn in return for giving employment and consulting work worth more than $300,000 to Adam Skelos.

Jury selection in the case is scheduled to begin Monday before U.S. District Judge Kimba Wood.

Prosecutors did not comment on the assertion that Mangano is not on the witness list. Wood said during the hearing that there are also claims that Deputy County Executive Richard Walker was pressured, but there was no indication whether he is likely to testify.

At Friday's hearing defense lawyers also revealed that they hope to argue at trial that some of the work Adam Skelos got was because of friendship, sympathy and family relationships, not because of his father's power.

Christopher Conniff, Adam Skelos' lawyer, said Anthony Bonomo, the head of the malpractice insurer and a likely government witness, was a longtime friend of Dean Skelos, a former Senate majority leader.

"The government alleges that Senator Skelos kept Adam in this position through pressure," Conniff said. "We think the evidence shows that Mr. Bonomo hired and kept him on for personal reasons including the fact that he was a 30-year friend of Dean Skelos."

Prosecutors contend Adam Skelos was kept on despite being abusive to a supervisor because Dean Skelos controlled -- and ultimately OKd -- the extension of a bill that Physicians Reciprocal needed to keep operating.

Dean Skelos, in brief comments to reporters after yesterday's hearing, said, "In my opinion and the opinion of others this is a prosecution that should never have been brought in the first place. I still have absolute faith in our judicial system. After trial I am convinced that jury will find my son and myself innocent."