Legal Battle Over New Hyde Park Park District to Continue

The 's attorney is in the process of appealing a Nassau County Supreme Court decision that will allow for an audit of the . This district will potentially be audited because residents are concerned that funds are being mismanaged.

"The legal battle will continue and our books will remain open," said Town spokesman Collin Nash. "The county, in its entire history, has never audited a town because state law, we believe, is pretty clear on this issue.  We will let the courts decide based on the law and do whatever the courts ultimately decide. However, as we have said time and again, our books remain open for all to see."

A spokesman for Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos noted that special districts, such as water and garbage, have been regularly audited by the comptroller's office.

In a statement about the court ruling, Maragos said, "The Comptroller’s Office has the authority to audit the Town and Special Districts. The Court has reaffirmed that power. I am grateful that the Court understood that the Comptroller has full authority over these audits.”

The issue of an audit of this district came up in January or February, the spokesman said, as a result of residents' complaints. Once all of the information is received, which, depending on the appeal could be within as soon as July 5, the audit could be completed as soon as this summer. The average audit takes about three months and they can take longer if something is found and more information is needed, the spokesman said.

"We're looking at the finances of the Park District and to make sure that any other special district's finances are being used properly," the Comptroller's spokesman said.