Court stops N. Hempstead park district audit

At the request of North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman, an acting State Supreme Court justice has temporarily stopped Nassau Comptroller George Maragos from collecting records to audit a town-run park district and pool.

Justice Denise Sher in Mineola issued the temporary restraining order Friday, directing Maragos to respond by Thursday to Kaiman’s argument that the comptroller does not have the power to audit the town.

North Hempstead is to reply to Maragos, who has said he has the authority, by May 19.

Maragos, a Republican whose chief deputy unsuccessfully challenged Democrat Kaiman for supervisor, last week subpoeaned records of the Clinton G. Martin Park District, saying he had received complaints alleging misappropriation of funds.

Kaiman called the move a “backdoor way to audit the town” during an election year.