By Dana Williams
The news came just a week after Corbin pleaded not guilty in U.S. District Court in Central Islip to charges of evading taxes on $226,000 in income that he allegedly received from a developer, and lying about it to federal agents. The developer is said to be one of several involved in the Town of North Hempstead Community Development Agency's $60 million New Cassel Revitalization Project, but was not identified in the complaint.
Corbin read a prepared statement outside the State Supreme Court building in Mineola last Wednesday, contending that he would fight the charges against him in court and insisting that he would not step down from the Legislature. "I intend to continue in office and to stand for election this November," Corbin said. "I am proud of my record of public service. I will not resign." Indeed, Corbin was present for a Nassau County Legislature session on Monday.
According to a court affidavit, 82 checks from a developer, totaling $229,000, were made out to cash between Feb. 22, 2005, and Jan. 11, 2008, and deposited in four bank accounts in Corbin's name. The checks, whose totals ranged from $1,500 to $6,000, were all associated with expenses related to the revitalization project, the complaint states. An analysis of the accounts and Corbin's financial records by the Internal Revenue Service and the FBI, however, showed that Corbin used the money for personal expenses, the court affidavit states.
The complaint also states that Corbin - who represents the 2nd Legislative District, which includes Lakeview, parts of West Hempstead, East Meadow, New Cassel and other areas - falsely reported a total income for 2005 through 2007 of $575,873 on his federal tax returns, when his income for those years was approximately $801,873.
FBI agents also claim in the affidavit that Corbin admitted to FBI and IRS agents on April 30 that he lied about using the money for personal expenses during an interview with the agents at his Westbury home on Nov. 20, 2008. It is a felony to lie to a federal agent, police said.
Corbin's lawyer, Thomas F. Liotti, said at the press conference that the matter could have been "easily resolved civilly with the filing of amended tax returns and the payment of taxes that may be due" because it is a private matter, but instead it has been exploited by government officials in an attempt to ruin an elected official's reputation. Liotti also said that Corbin has been targeted because he is a public figure representing a minority district.
"The government is trying this case in the media by plastering Roger on the front page, in handcuffs, in an illegal 'perp walk,'" Liotti said. "They have issued press releases and leaks to the press about a private, personal matter. Clearly this is being done to embarrass and prejudice a fair review of the facts and circumstances of this case."
Corbin, 62, called the negative publicity "unwarranted and unfair," and announced that Liotti had hired a forensic accountant and a tax attorney to review his situation to determine whether he should file amended tax returns. "If there is a tax due, we will agree to pay it," he said.
Corbin was arrested in the IRS building in Garden City on May 6, and pleaded not guilty to the charges later that day. He was released on his own recognizance by Magistrate Arlene Lindsay, police said. Another hearing has been scheduled for May 26. If convicted on all charges, Corbin could face up to 11 years in prison and be ordered to pay more than $70,000 in back taxes, plus interest and other penalties, and nearly $1 million in fines, court officials said.
Corbin has served in the county Legislature since its inception in 1995 and is now in his seventh term. If he steps down, the Democrats would lose their slim 10-9 majority on the Legislature until the seat is filled. According to the Nassau legislative charter, if Corbin were to resign before June 1, a special election would be held to elect a replacement. If he were to resigns after June 1, the seat would remain vacant until Election Day in November, and until whoever is elected was sworn in on Jan. 1. If that were to happen, it would leave the Legislature potentially deadlocked at nine Democrats and nine Republicans for as long as the seat remained vacant.
Ed Ward, a spokesman for the Republican members of the Legislature, said that they had no comment about Corbin's future in the Legislature. "Roger is here on the Legislature and he is fulfilling his duties," Ward said. "He's innocent until proven guilty."
At the Legislature's regular meeting on Monday, Corbin announced that he was there to do his job. Since his arrest, however, he has stepped aside as chair of the legislature's Finance, Minority Affairs and Veterans committees, county officials said.
"Legislator Corbin has decided to remain in office and defend the charges against him. That is his right, and we respect his decision to focus on his legal case," the Legislature's presiding officer, Diane Yatauro (D-Glen Cove), said in a statement. "He has voluntarily stepped aside from the committees he chairs. That decision is effective immediately. He will stay on these committees as a member."
Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs could not be reached for comment.
Comments about this story? DWilliams@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 205.
