George Maragos decries nepotism, but employs sister-in-law

Nassau Comptroller George Maragos, a Democratic county executive candidate, lashed out on Twitter recently about Hempstead Town’s employment of Councilman Anthony D’Esposito’s father, mother, brother and sister-in-law.

“Height of nepotism,” Maragos tweeted last week, responding to a Newsday report that noted the family’s jobs in the GOP-led town. “IT MUST END!”

But some officials in Hempstead — with whom Maragos has feuded over his authority to audit the town’s animal shelter — have grumbled privately that the comptroller employs one of his family members in his office.

Anthia Papadopoulos, Maragos’ sister-in-law, has worked as a $90,000-a-year comptroller’s inspector since December 2015, county records show. She previously worked at SDS Financial Technologies, the Manhattan data and investment firm founded by Maragos, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Asked about Papadopoulos’ position, Maragos issued a statement that described her role as key to the comptroller office’s transition to a new accounting, payroll and human resources system.

“Anthia was hired for her technical expertise,” Maragos said, noting that her salary “is commensurate with male counterparts and her responsibilities.”

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.