George and Angela Maragos donate $5,400 to Hillary Clinton

Republican-turned-Democrat George Maragos is touting campaign contributions to his new party even before they show up in public filings.

Maragos, the Nassau County comptroller who recently switched his registration to run for county executive next year, said last week that he and his wife, Angela, on Sept. 20 gave a total of $5,400 to Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton, and $250 to the North Hempstead Democratic Committee five days later.

The contributions were volunteered after Newsday reported that Maragos, despite long-standing disputes with Nassau GOP leaders, donated to the party committee through 2015 and into this spring. Campaign finance records showed that Maragos hadn’t given money to any Democratic candidates or committees over that time.

Maragos announced his party switch late last month, framing his county executive bid as a stand against local Republicans over issues including budget management.

By Paul LaRocco

paul.larocco@newsday.com@paullarocco

Paul LaRocco is a reporter on the investigations desk. Since starting at Newsday in late 2010, he has also covered Nassau and Suffolk county politics and government and the Town of Oyster Bay.