Nassau County: Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton news release on outside counsel spending

Nassau County: Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton news release on outside counsel spending
Source: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/CivicAlerts.asp?AID=13238
Saved by TicketTrap.ai on 2026-10-22 from the public web page.

News Flash • The Question of ‘Why’ In County Government 

 Skip to Main Content 

 Module Search
 
 Enter Search Terms 

 All categories 
 Veterans Service Agency 
 Health Department 
 County Clerk 
 Legislative District 01 
 Legislative District 02 
 Legislative District 03 
 Legislative District 04 
 Legislative District 05 
 Legislative District 06 
 Legislative District 07 
 Legislative District 08 
 Legislative District 09 
 Legislative District 10 
 Legislative District 11 
 Legislative District 12 
 Legislative District 13 
 Legislative District 14 
 Legislative District 15 
 Legislative District 16 
 Legislative District 17 
 Legislative District 18 
 Legislative District 19 

 Tools

 RSS 
 
 Notify Me 

 View Archived 

 Categories

 All Categories 

 Veterans Service Agency 

 Health Department 

 County Clerk 

 Legislative District 01 

 Legislative District 02 

 Legislative District 03 

 Legislative District 04 

 Legislative District 05 

 Legislative District 06 

 Legislative District 07 

 Legislative District 08 

 Legislative District 09 

 Legislative District 10 

 Legislative District 11 

 Legislative District 12 

 Legislative District 13 

 Legislative District 14 

 Legislative District 15 

 Legislative District 16 

 Legislative District 17 

 Legislative District 18 

 Legislative District 19 

 News Flash

Legislative District 11 
 
 Posted on: February 2, 2026 The Question of ‘Why’ In County Government
 By Delia DeRiggi-Whitton
 Often as a Nassau County Legislator, I find myself questioning why certain issues unfold the way that they do. On many occasions and with increased frequency in this hyper-partisan age, the operations of government are closely tied to politics. 
 However, the “why” is not always readily apparent – and it is our job as Legislators to dig deeper and identify the cases in which that connection is found a bit beneath the surface.
 Take outside legal counsel contracts, for instance. While Nassau County continues to benefit from a fully staffed County Attorney’s office staffed by many qualified lawyers, it is occasionally necessary to outsource highly complex cases to firms with specialized expertise. The emphasis, however, should be on “occasionally.”
 During the administration of former County Executive Laura Curran, the County spent approximately $5 million for this service. Fast forward to 2025 and the administration of Bruce Blakeman, and a recent audit by the Nassau Interim Finance Agency (NIFA) identified more than $23 million in spending on outside legal counsel (last year alone)!
 Many of these outside counsel contracts are for cases that are ill-advised legally or should be handled in house. Some recent examples include spending $3.2 million to defend county fee practices that courts have already ruled illegal or unconstitutional; millions to defend a case brought by Newsday, alleging financial retaliation over critical coverage; and millions more right after Election Day 2025.
 This included a contract for a Republican legislative candidate. While Blakeman’s administration initiated the contract last spring, they failed to disclose it until after Election Day, when it arrived at the Legislature for our consideration after the fact.
 While the “why” was abundantly clear in that one example, the answer for many of the other contracts can be found in the fine print. In each proposal that the Legislature receives, we receive a list of the firm’s political contributions as required under County law. Most, if not all of those donations go to the County Executive or his Republican colleagues in the Legislature.
 The same holds true for the County Executive’s disastrous handling of the Department of Assessment. According to one assessment expert, the rolls are more inaccurate now than they have been at any point in the last 25 years – so why has Blakeman chosen to keep the tax rolls frozen, do nothing, and then dishonestly claim that he “fixed” the system? Campaign donations.
 The firms that challenge homeowners’ assessments each year make huge sums by taking advantage of a dysfunctional, indefensible roll that is riddled with inaccuracies and discrepancies. And, right on cue, these firms donate generously to Blakeman and the Republicans who keep the system broken for their benefit, and the property owners of Nassau County are the ones who end up paying the price. 
 Finally, the “why” I find hardest to accept is related to Nassau County’s nearly $100 million in opioid fund reserves. For nearly five years, most of these funds have sat in bank accounts, and as of December, a review of Nassau’s financial system shows that less than 7 percent has made it out of County bank accounts and into actual treatment initiatives.
 The technical nature of the “why” in this case makes it no less of an outrage. Nassau County’s financial condition is monitored by Moody’s and other rating agencies. A major factor in their determinations are related to municipal reserves. Instead of delivering resources to agencies that are providing life-saving prevention, treatment and recovery resources to people struggling with addiction, Nassau has released the funds at a snail’s pace. Having these funds on the books artificially increases the County’s total reserves. While that may have helped our bond ratings, that is little comfort for families that are desperate for help and hope.
 Now that we understand the “why” behind these glaring examples of dysfunction, it is incumbent upon us all to answer the next most important question – “how”. How do we correct these errors? How do we install guardrails to prevent their return? Most importantly – how do we ensure that we are always serving the people of Nassau County to the best of our ability? 
 That must be our mission throughout 2026. It is time for the Legislature to reassert its crucial role as a coequal branch of government and challenge the County Executive when his administration’s actions conflict with the best interests of Nassau County residents.
 Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, of Glen Cove, is the Democratic Minority Leader of the Nassau County Legislature. She represents the 11th Legislative District and has served since 2012. 

 ⇐ Previous Statement from Democratic Minority Delegation on Recent Events in Minneapolis Next ⇒ Statement From Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton 

Other News in Legislative District 11
 Delia DeRiggi-Whitton & NuHealth Bring Mammography Van to Glen Cove’s Charles Evans Center 
 Posted on: October 22, 2026 
 Nassau DPW – Dosoris Lane Flood Mitigation Work Coming Soon 
 Posted on: October 1, 2026 
 Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Partners with NuHealth to Bring Mammography Van 
 Posted on: October 1, 2026 | Last Modified on: October 1, 2026 
 Officials: Nassau DPW Applying for Baxter Pond Dredging Permits 
 Posted on: September 28, 2026 
 Free Skin Cancer Screenings at Glen Cove Senior Center 
 Posted on: September 24, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, Department of Assessment Host H.E.L.P. Workshop 
 Posted on: September 15, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Supports GCPD STOP-DWI Grant 
 Posted on: September 14, 2026 
 Local Officials Announce $5M+ Sewer Expansion Project To Protect Hempstead Harbor, Long Island Sound 
 Posted on: September 10, 2026 
 Free Skin Cancer Screenings to Glen Cove Senior Center 
 Posted on: September 10, 2026 
 Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Partners with NuHealth to Bring Mammography Van to Charles Evans Center 
 Posted on: September 4, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Invites Property Owners to Attend HELP Event 
 Posted on: August 20, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau County PBA Host Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway 
 Posted on: August 19, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau County PBA Host Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway 
 Posted on: August 18, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau County PBA Host Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway 
 Posted on: August 14, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Thanks Benjamin Lumi & Mia Pinto for Summer Internship 
 Posted on: July 29, 2026 | Last Modified on: July 29, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $89K for Port Washington Water Pollution Control District 
 Posted on: July 29, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $275,000 For Incorporated Village of Port Washington North 
 Posted on: July 29, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $100,000 for Port Washington Public Library 
 Posted on: July 29, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates America's 250th Anniversary with the C... 
 Posted on: July 29, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $110,000 For Improvements to John Maccarone Memorial Stadium 
 Posted on: July 28, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $100K For Playground at Glen Cove School District’s Gribbin 
 Posted on: July 28, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $152K For Phase II of Crescent Beach Improvements, Equipment 
 Posted on: July 28, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $200,000 for Glen Cove Volunteer Fire Department 
 Posted on: July 28, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $350,000 for Pascucci Soccer Field Improvements in Glen Cove 
 Posted on: July 28, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau County PBA Host Back-To-School Backpack Giveaway 
 Posted on: July 20, 2026 
 Democratic Caucus Attends Groundbreaking for New Eisenhower Park 9/11 Memorial 
 Posted on: July 9, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Welcomes Summer Interns 
 Posted on: June 26, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, New York State, Present Citizen Preparedness Workshop at Glen Head 
 Posted on: June 25, 2026 | Last Modified on: June 25, 2026 
 Road Resurfacing Coming To Glen Cove, Sea Cliff & Manorhaven 
 Posted on: June 22, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Success of Sea Cliff’s First Film Festival 
 Posted on: June 16, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Success of Inaugural Sea Cliff Film Festival 
 Posted on: June 16, 2026 
 Resurfacing of Beacon Hill Road Complete in Port Washington 
 Posted on: June 15, 2026 
 Narcan training held by DeRiggi-Whitton, Chief McCarroll, and Project HELP at Manorhaven Hall 
 Posted on: June 15, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates 95th Anniversary of Baxter Estates Village 
 Posted on: June 15, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton, Project HELP Long Island Host Narcan Training Session at Manorhaven Village Hall 
 Posted on: May 21, 2026 
 After 17 Years, Glen Cove’s Hidden Beach to Reopen for Swimming 
 Posted on: May 18, 2026 
 Heralding A New Dawn At Crescent Beach 
 Posted on: May 15, 2026 
 Forest Avenue Crosswalk Repainted In Glen Cove 
 Posted on: May 14, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Urges NICE Bus To Establish Temporary Shuttle Service In Event of LIRR Strike 
 Posted on: May 14, 2026 
 TRUMP BACKS GAS TAX HOLIDAY — SO WHY IS BLAKEMAN STILL BLOCKING RELIEF IN NASSAU? 
 Posted on: May 12, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Laura Kallman 
 Posted on: May 4, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Grand Opening of Gold Coast Public Library 
 Posted on: May 4, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Attends Walkout Ceremony for PWPD Chief Robert Del Muro 
 Posted on: April 30, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Highlights Helen Keller National Center’s Sands Point Residential Program 
 Posted on: April 28, 2026 
 20th “Cooking For A Cure” Fundraiser Honoring Jaime Greenberg 
 Posted on: April 28, 2026 
 NASSAU LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE BILL TO LEGALIZE MOST E-BIKES AND SCOOTERS 
 Posted on: April 27, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton, Project HELP Long Island Host Narcan Training Session at Manorhaven Village Hall 
 Posted on: April 24, 2026 
 The ‘Tale Of Two Shore Roads’ Progresses: Major Steps Forward For Key Road Projects 
 Posted on: April 24, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Supports La Fuerza Unida Food Drive, Honors Sal Diaz for Philanthropic Work 
 Posted on: April 20, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Attends Loggia Glen Cove Sons of Italy Meeting 
 Posted on: April 20, 2026 
 Statement from Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton on Passing of Tony Jimenez 
 Posted on: April 20, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates April Birthdays at Glen Cove Senior Center 
 Posted on: April 20, 2026 
 Road Resurfacing Work Set to Begin April 20 in Sea Cliff, Glen Cove, and Manorhaven – Nassau DPW 
 Posted on: April 15, 2026 
 Road Resurfacing Work Underway In Port Washington 
 Posted on: April 13, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Easter at Glen Cove Sunrise Mass 
 Posted on: April 6, 2026 
 First City Project Collective Delivers $15K to Glen Cove Youth, Arts Organizations 
 Posted on: April 6, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Announces Summer Re-Opening of Glen Cove’s Crescent Beach 
 Posted on: April 3, 2026 
 Drainage Improvements Set to Begin on Beacon Hill Road in Port Washington 
 Posted on: March 23, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Applauds Additional $2M in NYS Funding for Septic System Replacement Grants 
 Posted on: March 23, 2026 
 First City Project Collective Delivers $15K to Glen Cove Youth, Arts Organizations 
 Posted on: March 23, 2026 
 Lawmakers, Advocates Demand Restoration of $13.7 Million in Life-Saving Opioid Settlement Funds 
 Posted on: March 23, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton and Legislator Russell Attend SOA Retirement Dinner 
 Posted on: March 23, 2026 
 Blakeman Fails To Deliver Results On His Big Promises 
 Posted on: March 16, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Appointment of Judge William Bodkin to District Court 
 Posted on: March 11, 2026 
 NASSAU LEGISLATIVE DEMOCRATS ANNOUNCE KRATOM BAN LEGISLATION AS HEALTH CONCERNS MOUNT 
 Posted on: March 9, 2026 
 Stalled Legislation Another Symptom of Blakeman Partisan Blockade 
 Posted on: March 3, 2026 
 Jaime Greenberg Named Honoree of 20th Annual Cooking For A Cure Fundraiser For Diabetes Research Ins 
 Posted on: February 13, 2026 
 DEMOCRATS INTRODUCE LEGISLATION TO CREATE COUNTYWIDE 3-1-1 SYSTEM, RELIEVE OVERWORKED 911 OPERATORS 
 Posted on: February 9, 2026 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Anna Cacaccio’s 102nd Birthday 
 Posted on: February 6, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Plant A Row For The Hungry Gallery Exhibition at Port Washington Library 
 Posted on: February 6, 2026 
 Project HELP Long Island Host Narcan Training Session at Port Washington Public Library 
 Posted on: February 2, 2026 
 Jaime Greenberg Named Honoree of 20th Annual Cooking For A Cure Fundraiser For Diabetes Research 
 Posted on: February 2, 2026 
 Statement from Democratic Minority Delegation on Recent Events in Minneapolis 
 Posted on: January 29, 2026 
 Statement From Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton 
 Posted on: January 20, 2026 
 Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Sworn in As Democratic Minority Leader 
 Posted on: January 13, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton, Project HELP Long Island Host Narcan Training Sessions at Port Washington Library 
 Posted on: January 13, 2026 | Last Modified on: January 13, 2026 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Salutes Athletes Helping Athletes, CSEA Local 830 For Success of Holiday Toy Drive 
 Posted on: December 30, 2025 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Invites Residents to Attend Free Online Community Assessment Grievance Workshops 
 Posted on: December 29, 2025 
 Welcome Back, Michael Graziosi! 
 Posted on: December 22, 2025 | Last Modified on: December 22, 2025 
 Looking Ahead To A New Year Of Advocacy And Action 
 Posted on: December 12, 2025 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Holidays in Baxter Estates 
 Posted on: December 5, 2025 
 Letter from minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton Regarding North Hempstead Lithium Battery Moratorium 
 Posted on: November 18, 2025 
 Minority Leader DeRiggi-Whitton, Assessment Host Homeowner Exemption Liaison Program (HELP) Event 
 Posted on: October 23, 2025 
 Legislators Salute ‘Top Cop’ For Saving Boy From Rip Current 
 Posted on: October 23, 2025 
 Democratic Legislators and Community Stakeholders Demand Overhaul, Oversight to Save NUMC 
 Posted on: March 4, 2024 
 Blakeman Administration Has Spent Less Than $202,000 of $92.5 Million in Opioid Settlement Funds 
 Posted on: February 26, 2024 
 Collura Family Named Honorees of 18th Annual Cooking for a Cure Fundraiser 
 Posted on: February 20, 2024 
 From Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton: RFP for Site of The View Grill in Glen Cove Needs Revision 
 Posted on: August 17, 2023 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Invite Residents to Learn How to Save a Life at Narcan Training 
 Posted on: April 5, 2023 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Visits Glen Cove FD Recruitment Drive 
 Posted on: April 26, 2022 
 Democratic Caucus Honors NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell During Women’s History Month Presentation 
 Posted on: March 25, 2022 
 St. Patrick’s Day Parade Returns to Glen Cove 
 Posted on: March 24, 2022 
 Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates ‘January Babies’ at Glen Cove Senior Center 
 Posted on: January 25, 2022 
 Whitton Thanks Supporters for Overwhelming Support of 11th Annual Toys for Tots Drive 
 Posted on: December 9, 2021 
 LETTER TO THE EDITOR - Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton: Good Riddance to NY American Water 
 Posted on: November 10, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Commemorates Veterans Day at Eisenhower Park Ceremony 
 Posted on: November 8, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Opening of State Farm Agent Garnet Ardila’s Roslyn Office 
 Posted on: October 25, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Grand Opening of Burger Boys Bar & Grill in Glen Cove 
 Posted on: October 25, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Commemorates 90th Birthday of Glen Cove Native and Navy Veteran Anthony Petrella 
 Posted on: October 22, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates One-Year Anniversary of The Mary Stanco Team’s Glen Cove Offices 
 Posted on: October 20, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton & Dr. Eve Lupenko Announce Free Skin Cancer Screenings 
 Posted on: October 14, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Joins St. John’s of Lattingtown for Parish’s 68th Annual Country Fair 
 Posted on: October 13, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Honors 75-Year Volunteer Joseph Santoli at Port Washington FD’s 135th Annual Dinner 
 Posted on: October 13, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton & Dr. Eve Lupenko Announce Free Skin Cancer Screenings 
 Posted on: October 12, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Reminds Residents to Register for Tax Exemption Workshop at The Bryant Library 
 Posted on: October 8, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $10,000 Hotel-Motel Grant to Support Girls Rising 
 Posted on: October 4, 2021 
 Whitton Honors Sea Cliff FD’s Enterprise Hose Co. for 125 Years of Community Service 
 Posted on: September 20, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Commemorates 20th Anniversary of 9/11 
 Posted on: September 16, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Attends PD Graduation Ceremony 
 Posted on: September 16, 2021 
 Whitton Partners with NuHealth to Host Breast Cancer Screenings at Port Washington Activities Ctr. 
 Posted on: September 8, 2021 
 Whitton Partners with NuHealth to Host Breast Cancer Screenings at Port Washington Activities Ctr. 
 Posted on: August 27, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton, Nassau and Glen Cove PBAs, Glen Cove Auxiliary PD Host Backpack Giveaway 
 Posted on: August 27, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Tours Nassau County Jail 
 Posted on: August 27, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Honors Protection Company No. 1 at 129th Annual Installation Dinner 
 Posted on: August 19, 2021 
 Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Partners with NuHealth to Host Breast Cancer Screenings 
 Posted on: August 18, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Invites Residents to Attend Upcoming Series of Tax Exemption Workshops 
 Posted on: August 17, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Thanks Schreiber H.S. American Heroes Club for Supporting Manorhaven VFW Post 1819 
 Posted on: August 13, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Honors Outgoing Kiwanis NYS Governor Brenda Leigh Johnson 
 Posted on: August 13, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton with NuHealth to Host Breast Cancer Screenings at Glen Cove Boys & Girls Club 
 Posted on: August 12, 2021 
 Whitton Honors Amsterdam at Harborside Staff for Dedicated Service as Caregivers During Pandemic 
 Posted on: August 11, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton, County Executive Curran Take Boost Nassau Resource Center Door-to-Door 
 Posted on: August 6, 2021 
 Star-Studded Night at Glen Cove’s Downtown Sounds 
 Posted on: August 2, 2021 
 Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Partners with NuHealth to Host Breast Cancer Screenings 
 Posted on: July 29, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Congratulates Order Sons and Daughters of Italy Loggia 1016 Scholarship Honorees 
 Posted on: July 14, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Spreads the Word about the Boost Nassau Resource Center in Glen Cove 
 Posted on: July 9, 2021 
 Thanking Port's First Responders 
 Posted on: July 6, 2021 
 Delia DeRiggi-Whitton Celebrates Nassau County’s Fire Marshals at Awards Ceremony 
 Posted on: June 7, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Commemorates Memorial Day in Glen Cove 
 Posted on: June 3, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Congratulates Virginia Cervasio for Commitment to Serving Veterans 
 Posted on: May 28, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton, Executive Curran, and Others Celebrate Renaming Headquarters William J. Willett 
 Posted on: May 13, 2021 
 Manorhaven Boulevard Road Resurfacing Project Moving Forward, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Announces 
 Posted on: May 11, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Joins Urgent Effort to Find Kidney Donor for Mother of Triplets 
 Posted on: May 7, 2021 
 County Executive Curran, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Commemorate National Donate Life Month 
 Posted on: May 3, 2021 
 Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Secures $85K in Funding for New Baseball Field 
 Posted on: April 27, 2021 
 County Executive Curran, Legislator DeRiggi-Whitton Commemorate National Donate Life Month 
 Posted on: April 26, 2021 
 DeRiggi-Whitton Updates North Shore Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Members During Monthly Meeting 
 Posted on: April 13, 2021 

 Live Edit

 Loading

 Loading 

 Do Not Show Again 
 Close 

 Arrow Left 

 Arrow Right 

 []

 Slideshow Left Arrow 

 Slideshow Right Arrow