Sources: Mangano Never Signed Criminal Complaint For Hacking Claims
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Calls have mounted for a criminal investigation into the alleged sexting scandal involving Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, but it turned out Friday that he has yet to sign a complaint.
CBS2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer was the first to report the scandal – in which Mangano said he his cellphone was hacked.
When Kramer first asked Mangano about the possibility that x-rated tests had been sent from his phone number, he immediately turned it over to Charles Ribando, the deputy county executive for public safety.
Mangano also vehemently denied that he had been involved in any sexting.
"I am a victim here. I am being hacked," Mangano said. "This is a lie, and I will bring every legal action to catch this person and bring this to justice."
Mangano also demanded a full-scale investigation.
"I'm just getting involved in this 30 seconds ago," Ribondo said.
That was two weeks ago, but sources said Mangano has yet sign a criminal complaint about his hacking claims – which, sources said, puzzles police.
Kramer asked attorney and former FBI agent Manny Gomez about it. He explained the ramifications of signing or not signing a criminal complaint.
"If he signs a criminal complaint, basically he's certifying that the complaint is valid, and by signing so, if the authorities find out that it's a false complaint, he could be criminally liable," Gomez said. "By not signing it, he's quasi off the hook."
Kramer asked the county executive's spokesman why a criminal complaint had not been signed, and if his boss was planning to sign it.
The spokesman said only, "We will issue additional comment on the completion of the investigation."