Crime Watch

Denenberg due back in court Jan. 21

Posted

Nassau County Legislator Dave Denenberg, the Merrick Democrat accused by his former law firm of over-billing a corporate client for millions of dollars, was due in federal court on Jan. 21, after press time, to answer eight federal mail fraud charges.

Denenberg was scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Central Islip, before Judge Joanna Seybert, at 11 a.m. on Wednesday. Seybert’s secretary confirmed the court date. He was expected to plead guilty to all eight counts against him, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Lara Treinis Gatz.

Denenberg last appeared before Seybert on Dec. 11, when he was expected to plead guilty to the fraud charges. He did not, however. Instead, he asked for and received an adjournment of his case. His attorney, Jason Russo, said that his busy work schedule and the death of Denenberg’s mother had left little time for the two to confer before Denenberg’s appearance.

Treinis Gatz said at the time that a plea deal was in the works. She told reporters that the government had offered Denenberg a deal, which he had agreed to, at least in principle.

Russo, meanwhile, said in December that plea negotiations were “ongoing.” When asked why the U.S. attorney’s office would say that a guilty plea was expected, Russo responded that the government had made an “acceptable” plea offer.

Russo could not be reached for comment at press time.