Hewlett Harbor resident John Novello also guilty in mortgage fraud

On the same day, July 23, that Hewlett Harbor resident John Novello pleaded guilty to stealing nearly $60,000 from the Cedarhurst Republican Committee, he was arrested again for alleged mortgage fraud. Novello had pleaded guilty to two counts of grand larceny – one for the embezzlement of the GOP money – and the other on the unindicted mortgage fraud matter. 

He is expected to return $41,000 to the Cedarhurst Republican Committee before he is sentenced before Judge Teresa Corrigan on Sept. 27. Novello is expected to receive probation for both crimes. He is free on his own recognizance.

Novello, 53, was oiginally charged with second-degree grand larceny, four counts of third-degree grand larceny, two counts of petit larceny and four counts of violating Election Law, when initially arrested in September of 2019 for allegedly stealing the political committee’s money.

The mortgage fraud involved Novello making several false statements concerning the purchase of the house at 320 Heather Lane in Hewlett Harbor, including saying that the house would not be owner occupied, it was being bought only as an investment and he was buying the property and taking the loan as part of his business enterprise with the intent to renovate and then sell the property.

Bank loans totaling $1,090 million were made based on the false statements. These actions occurred between Aug. 7, 2017 and March 5, 2019. Novello is said to have acted in concert with others who were not named in the official felony complaint.

The former Cedarhurst resident was deputy commissioner for the Town of Hempstead Buildings Department until he was terminated in February, as well as a former chief of staff for State Assemblywoman Melissa Miller, a Republican from Atlantic Beach. 

Novello also ran for Hewlett Harbor trustee in 2018 and has run campaigns for trustee in Hewlett Harbor and Lawrence in recent years.