Record: Mangano hires 'special counsel'

Attorney Ravi Batra, a widely known figure in Brooklyn's courts, has become "special counsel" to Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano. According to part of a notarized agreement between the two dated Aug. 15, Batra will provide advice "with special emphasis on fiscal management, ethical issues, and identifying fraud, waste and abuse in governance as they relate to Nassau County."

The agreement says Batra, based in Manhattan, has a "usual and customary billing rate" of $1,000 an hour and his senior associate, $500 an hour. But "in deference to doing the public good and driven by personal and professional respect" for Mangano's governance efforts, it says, "a severely discounted rate is acceptable during these 'hardship' times for the county."

Batra's political ties have drawn attention. Clarence Norman Jr., ex-Brooklyn Democratic chief and ex-assemblyman, was of counsel in his firm before Norman was convicted in 2005 on an unrelated felony involving misuse of campaign funds. Batra was a Norman appointee to a screening panel for judgeship nominations. -- Dan Janison