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Prosecutor Takes Over As Acting District Attorney In Nassau

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A career prosecutor has been sworn in as acting Nassau County district attorney.

Madeline Singas replaces Kathleen Rice, who was being sworn in as a Long Island congresswoman on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Takes Over As Acting District Attorney In Nassau

Singas, who is 48, was a prosecutor in Queens before joining the Nassau DA's office in 2006. She has specialized in domestic violence, sexual abuse and narcotics cases, 1010 WINS' Mona Rivera reported. Singas has served as Nassau's assistant chief prosecutor under Rice.

Singas said in brief remarks to reporters after her swearing-in ceremony that she intends to run for a full term as DA in November.

"I will be running in November, absolutely," Singas told Rivera.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo had the option of appointing a replacement for Rice, or to do nothing and let Singas take the top spot as chief assistant.

A Cuomo spokesman did not respond to a request for comment. The governor was attending the funeral of his late father, former Gov. Mario Cuomo, on Tuesday.

Rice was elected to Congress in November. She replaces retiring Rep. Carolyn McCarthy.

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