Internal Affairs Widens Probe Into Whether Nassau County Cops Had Sex On Duty
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Stunning new details emerged Friday in the investigation of a former Nassau County police officer accused of visiting his alleged mistress during work hours.
CBS 2 has learned there have been additional complaints about a parked van. Now, top brass want to know if 18-year veteran officer Mike Tedesco and other officers were inside that van having sex while on the job, CBS 2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
The Nassau Police Department "sex inquiry" is growing, CBS 2's has confirmed.
Sources said the Internal Affairs Unit is now investigating whether Tedesco had sexual trysts with a woman inside a van while on duty.
There are also allegations that additional police officers had sex with that same female during their shifts and that she drove to their assignments and met them there.
"I will tell you this: The county executive, Mr. [Ed] Mangano, and Commissioner [Thomas] Dale say police misconduct is a very serious issue and a full investigation will be conducted," said Nassau Detective Lt. Kevin Smith.
"Obviously the charges are shocking. Hopefully justice will work in this case," Mangano said.
The inquiry centers on Tedesco, who was suspended and then retired in April following a probe into whether he cheated while on the job by spending four hours of his daily shift at the Massapequa home of his alleged mistress, Tara Obenauer.
Obenauer claims two more women contacted her and Internal Affairs about sex with the on-duty officer.
"There have been others, we'll say victims -- women," she said.
Obenauer said, through her lawyer, that she is unaware if either of those women drive a van. Tedesco, who did not return calls from CBS 2, is accused of making rookie cops respond to emergencies while visiting Obenauer's home at least 57 times in a seven-month period, according to GPS tracking.
"What they do on their own time is fine, but if they're on county time or taxpayer time, it's absolutely wrong," said Nassau resident Steve Solosky.
"Everyone should want to find out if there's other officers involved. The investigation should be full, complete," Nassau Legislator David Denenberg added.
Taxpayers are eager for a resolution -- to either clear names or weed out any officer breaking the law.
Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice is monitoring the ongoing Internal Affairs investigation into alleged police misconduct, including a probe of any officer who may have helped in a cover-up.
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