John Novello pleads guilty to GOP Committee money theft

Hewlett Harbor resident John Novello, who led the Cedarhurst Republican Committee, pleaded guilty last month to stealing nearly $60,000 from the committee two years ago. He will be sentenced Sept. 27.

Novello was charged with second-degree grand larceny, four counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of petit larceny and four counts of violating Election Law.

The former Cedarhurst resident, 53, was deputy commissioner for the Town of Hempstead Buildings Department until he was terminated in February, as well as a former chief of staff for State Assemblywoman Melissa Miller, a Republican from Atlantic Beach. 

Novello also ran for Hewlett Harbor trustee in 2018 and has run campaigns for trustee in Hewlett Harbor and Lawrence in recent years.