Trial date nears for Long Beach councilman

Long Beach City Council member Michael Fagen’s larceny case was continued in District Court Wednesday.

Fagen, who is accused of illegally collecting more than $14,000 in unemployment benefits, is expected to stand trial in early September, a spokesman for the Nassau County district attorney’s office said.

Fagen will return to court for a pretrial conference Aug. 21, the spokesman said.

Fagen was indicted in February on felony charges of third-degree grand larceny, petty larceny and 38 counts of first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.

Fagen hid his government job from the state to collect unemployment benefits, prosecutors have said. He has pleaded not guilty.

Justice William C. Donnino has attempted to coax a settlement of the case that would not involve a trial.

Above: Long Beach City Council member Michael Fagen