Gambling busts net big payoff

On Jan. 11, the Lynbrook Police Department received $30,364 — the second of two payments — from the Nassau County Police Asset Forfeiture fund for its role in bringing down two gambling rings in the county.

In all, the LPD received $90,000 for its assistance in the investigations. The first $60,000 was presented to the village two months ago, officials said.

Sgt. Ron Fleury of the Lynbrook department said that village police assisted the county’s Asset Forfeiture and Vice units during a year-long investigation into what police called a “Spanish lottery” — also known as numbers running — that operated out of several Hispanic grocery stores, or bodegas, around the county. According to Fleury, there was no gambling at Lynbrook bodegas, but village police assisted county police by providing vital information and conducting surveillance at certain hot spots.

“We have sources that the county needed,” Fleury said. “[Lynbrook detectives] ended up relaying information. They were deeply involved in surveilling different bodegas in the surrounding communities.”

Fleury would not comment on who approached whom for help in the investigation, but he noted that the $30,364 presented to the police last week was a portion of the money seized during one of the gambling ring busts. The other $60,000 came from another such operation, he said, but he offered no further details because, he said, the investigation is continuing.

According to Village Administrator John Giordano, the money came with one stipulation: It must be used by the Police Department. As of now, the funds are tentatively earmarked for a new fingerprint reader, GPS units for patrol cars and the purchase and installation of security cameras around the village.

Giordano said the extra money would help fund projects that are ordinarily paid for with taxes. “[The money] lessens the reliance on ... local taxpayer money,” he said.

Mayor Brian Curran said he is pleased to see that the hard work of the Police Department has resulted in funding for crime prevention in the village. “On top of everything they do, their efforts resulted in tangible funds coming back to the village in forfeiture money,” Curran said. “It highlights the dedication and hard work they do here on behalf of the residents of Lynbrook.”

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