Senator Anna M. Kaplan to Introduce Anti-Corruption Legislation In Response to Ongoing Scandal in Town of Hempstead

(Carle Place, NY) -- As investigations continue into an alleged sweetheart deal between the Town of Hempstead and a contractor continue to unfold, revealing new financial ties between the town contractor and local political party leadership, Senator Anna M. Kaplan is announcing new anti-corruption legislation that would shine a light on financial ties between vendors and political party leadership.

"Long Island has been rocked by so many scandals in recent years involving government contractors and their inappropriate relationships to people in power. We need to shine a strong light on these relationships so that the people in our communities can begin to have faith in their governments again," said Senator Anna M. Kaplan. "I'm extremely grateful for the hard work of Supervisor Laura Gillen in exposing this ongoing nightmare as part of her efforts to combat entrenched corruption in the Town of Hempstead," she continued.

Senator Kaplan is in the process of drafting legislation that would require those seeking contracts with a municipality to disclose any and all financial relationships to any local political party leadership or their immediate families. Any application for a municipal contract that did not include a signed disclosure statement indicating these relationships would be considered null and void.

Hempstead Supervisor Laura A. Gillen said “My administration has been rooting out corruption in the Town of Hempstead since day one, but I have been met with constant obstruction. Increased state oversight into municipal contracting will assist me in addressing waste, fraud and abuse that councilmembers refuse to acknowledge or address. I urge state lawmakers to join Senator Kaplan in this important legislation.”