Gene Cook, Huntington board member, seeks federal investigation of ethics allegations

Huntington Town board member Gene Cook announced Monday he will offer a resolution at Thursday's board meeting asking the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York to investigate "allegations of unethical practices" against town board members, the Ethics Board and its legal counsel.

Cook, in a news release, cited Newsday reports about receiverships and business relationships between board member Mark Cuthbertson and Oheka Castle owner Gary Melius, and with Robert Fonti, a property management consultant for the town and chairman of the Huntington Housing Authority. Cuthbertson didn't disclose those relationships before voting on town issues affecting Melius and Fonti.

The Ethics Board on Oct. 20 found no "technical ethical violation" in Cuthbertson's vote in favor of a zoning change that allowed a condominium development proposed by Melius. The board had not been asked to review Cuthbertson's vote to renew Fonti's consulting contract.

"The citizens need to know their elected officials are honest and forthcoming, so I think this is a good way to put it out there," Cook said. "So let's see if we can get a federal independent investigation going."

Cook will need support from at least one other board member to get the resolution to a vote.

"It is regrettable that he is impugning not only me but the Ethics Board," Cuthbertson said.

Town supervisor Frank Petrone said he had not seen the resolution nor had any discussion with Cook about it.

"When we are in executive session this is something Gene will bring up, and board members will discuss it, and Mark will have an opportunity to discuss it as well," Petrone said.

Board member Susan Berland said she had not seen the resolution and "it would be inappropriate for me to comment if I haven't seen it."

Board member Tracey Edwards said she had not seen the resolution but would "do whatever it takes to restore the public's trust so we can get on with doing the people's business."

The town board meeting is at 2 p.m. at Town Hall, 100 Main St., Huntington Village.