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L.I. Housing Official Accused Of Stealing More Than $122,000 Meant For Poor People

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) - A Long Island housing official is accused of stealing more than $122,000 in housing aid meant for poor people.

Newsday reported that Louis Abate entered a not guilty plea on Friday at his arraignment in Central Islip federal court. He was released on $100,000 bond.

Abate was the fiscal manager of the Nassau County Office of Housing and Community Development. A complaint said that he diverted funds to his private bank account from a program that gives federal money to landlords who provide housing to poor people.

Officials at the county housing office told investigators that the agency had fired Abate after he had stopped coming to work in January, claiming he was ill.

While going through his office, a complaint said that housing officials found records linking him to the alleged scheme.

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