Infighting among Nassau GOP over raises

After Nassau GOP chairman Joseph Mondello scolded Nassau elected officials for hiking selected appointees' salaries during a wage freeze, some top Republicans grumbled that Mondello didn't object when his son-in-law got a raise.

After Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt died in October 2012, the salary of Christopher Ostuni, GOP majority counsel and Mondello's son-in-law, rose from $125,000 to $176,000. His title also changed to include "policy adviser" after Schmitt's key adviser, Ed Ward, became County Executive Edward Mangano's deputy.

Frank Moroney, GOP legislative spokesman, said this was a promotion, with expanded duties, that wouldn't be covered by an existing wage freeze. Mondello spokesman Anthony Santino said the chairman was "unaware of the matter" and played no role. -- Celeste Hadrick