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DA: Long Island Emergency Management Official Accused Of Perjury

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A Long Island deputy commissioner for emergency management has been arrested on charges he lied about a prior conviction on job applications.

Edward Korona Jr., of Hicksville was arraigned Thursday on charges including perjury and official misconduct. He was released without bail.

Korona's attorney said after the arraignment that his client was fighting the charges.

"We vehemently deny the charges and I think that as this case proceeds in the courts it will show that in fact these charges have no merit," attorney Scott Banks said.

Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said the 53-year-old allegedly lied on applications four times for various county jobs. The charges arose out of her investigation into county contracts and the contract approval process.

"A criminal conviction should not be an absolute bar to government employment, but lying about a prior felony four times on sworn job applications is a serious offense — especially for a high-ranking official entrusted with important responsibilities," Singas said. "As our investigation of county contracts and the contracting process continues, we will continue to ensure that those entrusted with safeguarding the public, and public funds, are held to the high standard of integrity that the public rightly expects."

Korona is not accused of any crimes related to contracts.

Singas said Korona spent 14 months in an upstate prison after being convicted in 1982 for burglarizing a home in Jericho, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported. Court documents allege Korona failed to disclose the felony burglary conviction.

County Executive Edward Mangano did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Korona faces a maximum sentence of up to four years in prison if convicted.

He is due back in court on Nov. 10.

Korona currently makes $125,000 per year, Hall reported.

(TM and © Copyright 2015 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2015 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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