Smithtown Officials To Determine Cost Of Repaving Roads Following Scandal Involving Highway Superintendent
SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) – Some improperly paved roads may have to be paved again in one Long Island town.
As WCBS 880's Long Island Bureau Chief Mike Xirinachs reported, it'll take a few days to assess the damage on at least eight Smithtown roads believed to be properly paved during freezing conditions.
Officials will determine the cost of the repairs, Xirinachs reported.
Smithtown Officials To Determine Cost Of Repaving Roads Following Scandal
"It's a waste of money. Now that's got to pay for it all over again," unhappy taxpayer Brandon said. "[There are] more important things to spend money on."
Highway Superintendent Glenn Jorgensen has pleaded not guilty to felony charges. He authorized the improper paving projects and then tried to cover it up, Xirinachs reported.
Suffolk County prosecutors say the 63-year-old destroyed Smithtown highway road condition reports. They say reports had false information about temperature and road conditions that were too cold to allow paving.
The district attorney said they found falsified documents hidden under Jorgensen's bed.
Jorgensen himself did not comment outside court Wednesday, but his attorney, Anthony La Pinta, said his client will vigorously defend himself.
"We're going to move forward," La Pinta said. "This is a heavy task for anyone to endure. But luckily, he's a man that has a lot of friends and a lot of family support."
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