Questions Surround Nassau County Investigation Into Mangano Sexting Claims
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Nassau County police were proceeding full speed ahead Wednesday in their probe of a sexting scandal involving county Executive Ed Mangano, and his claim that his phone was hacked.
CBS2 Political Reporter Marcia Kramer first broke the exclusive story. On Wednesday, she reported that questions were arising on whether Mangano should have asked the man he himself named as acting police commissioner to investigate the case.
One of the women involved in the case also received two no-bid contracts from Nassau County, Kramer reported.
Mangano and Karin Caro, a local marketing executive, clearly know each other.
"You're an amazing guy," Caro said to Mangano during an interview for her blog The Daily Blu. "I follow you. I've been inspired by you."
But as police tried to determine if both were victims of a hacking scandal involving X-rated texts sent from one to the other, there were new questions Wednesday about how Caro got two no-bid Nassau County contracts – both under $25,000 so they needed no legislative approval.
She received one contract for $24,500 in 2013, and another for $24,000 in 2014.
Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin told CBS2 Caro coordinated "events benefitting veterans and the Games for the Physically Challenged."
Her contracts reportedly said the services she provided were "specialized, unique and cannot be evaluated through a competitive bid process."
In an editorial, Newsday questioned that, saying "those needs could easily be met by dozens or hundreds of area firms."
Newsday also wondered about Mangano's decision to demand that his appointee, Acting Police Commissioner Thomas Krumpter, handle the investigation.
Spokesmen for the Nassau County Police Department insisted their probe was fair and impartial, and will not be subjected to political pressure.
In addressing the sexting allegations this past weekend, Mangano insisted that the X-rated messages sent from his cell phone didn't actually come from him.
"I am a victim here, I am being hacked. This is a lie and I will bring every legal action to catch this person and bring them to justice," Mangano told CBS2's Kramer in a Sunday report.
Mangano claims he has enemies that are out to get him, hacking into his phone, using a technique he calls "spoofing." He said this tactic enabled someone to send very lurid texts to several women, making it seem like the messages came from his cell phone.
"I don't deny that's my phone number, but it could be hacked, it's hoaxed -- it is hacked," Mangano said.
There is one purporting to be from an "Ed M" that begins with the words, "I'd lay you down." The rest is so x-rated CBS2 decided not to elaborate.
Another text claims to be from "Ed Mangano" and is followed by three cat emojis with hearts for eyes. It's unusual because it had a back and forth conversation with a woman.
The reported conversation appears as the following:
"I really just want you next to me, nothing else. Just that."
"I miss being alone with you."
"I wanted to see you," replies the woman
"Sorry I'm tired."
"Tomorrow?" she asked.
"I will let you know," the mystery texter answers.
"I want you to (blank) my brains out even if it's in my car again," she said.
"I miss being alone with you."
"I wanted to see you," replies the woman.
"Sorry I'm tired."
"Tomorrow?" she asked.
"I will let you know," the mystery texter answers.
"I want you to (blank) my brains out even if it's in my car again," she said.
"Sorry left early. Something came up."
And there is yet another text from Mangano's number that begins, "I meant I hope you never stop loving me. If you woke up one day and didn't love me anymore, my world would end... I'd go crazy not having you."
"This is so disgusting, this allegation is outrageous and disgusting and hurtful and it did not come from me. These words did not come from me. It was not done on my phone. It could only be done by a hacker. Period. I am a victim here. That is the truth and now this will be turned over to the police," Mangano told Kramer Sunday.
Caro said she was also hacked, victimized by the spoof.
