Oyster Bay gives Mangano's brother a job

When Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano sought a new job for his brother, the town of Oyster Bay says it answered the call.

Rob Mangano, 46, of Plainview, started work as a deputy public works commissioner on Jan. 27 at an annual salary of $100,881, a raise of about $15,000 from his previous job with the Nassau County Police Emergency Ambulance Bureau.

Oyster Bay hired him as a liaison among the public works department, public safety officers and fire districts.

Edward Mangano approached town Supervisor John Venditto last fall, saying his brother "was looking to do more" and asking whether the town had an opening, Venditto said.

"It's a legitimate need and he had legitimate qualifications," said Venditto who, like the county executive, is a Republican and lives in the town.

Rob Mangano worked in the ambulance bureau for more than 14 years before taking the Oyster Bay job. He was an emergency medical technician for a decade and then coordinated resources for the support division. He's also a 19-year volunteer, and former captain, with the Bethpage Fire Department.

Mangano said he is on a one-year unpaid leave of absence from the county -- allowed under his Civil Service Employees Association contract -- and is not accruing benefits.

"It's to try a new avenue" of work, he said. "It just leaves things open."

Within days of his town hiring, he said, he gave up his county-issued vehicle.

Oyster Bay's Public Works Department has five deputy commissioners. Mangano filled a slot that became vacant after a retirement last year, officials said. But the responsibilities changed to liaison with the Public Safety Department after Edward Mangano's request to find a job for his brother, according to town officials.

The county executive, a Bethpage resident, didn't respond to an interview request but said through a spokesman, "My brother enjoyed . . . years of service with the county until I arrived as his boss. I am thrilled to reduce my relationship with him to simply brothers."

Rob Mangano said that, as a county employee, he helped the ambulance bureau coordinate with other police branches.

Venditto said Rob Mangano would work both before and during large emergency response efforts to create a direct link to public works. An example, he said, would be in a storm, when public safety officers spot downed trees or road damage and need public works crews to get to the scene.