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Juror Dismissed, Deliberations Restart From Beginning In Trial Of Former Nassau County Exec Ed Mangano, Wife

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A juror has been replaced in the trial of former Nassau County executive Ed Mangano and his wife.

Mangano is accused of taking bribes and kickbacks from restaurant owner Harendra Singh in exchange for government favors.

Prosecutors say Linda Mangano was given a "no-show" job at one of Singh's restaurants. She's charged with obstruction of justice and lying to the FBI.

A juror sent a note to the judge Tuesday saying deliberations had become a "toxic environment" of name calling and cursing. The defense moved for a mistrial following the note.

The judge denied the mistrial motion and replaced the juror with an alternate. The judge reminded the jury that deliberations often get heated and said they had to restart their deliberations with the alternate in place.

The judge ordered the jury back to the drawing board -- to begin deliberations anew.

"There is a lot of pressure in these situations and people are forced to express their opinions in ways they're not used to doing. They feel personal pressure to defend themselves," said John Carman, attorney for Linda Mangano. "Is it unusual? Yes, it's highly unusual."

Prosecutors had no comment on the change of juror.

Deliberations will resume Wednesday morning.

Last week, the jury found former Oyster Bay town supervisor John Venditto not guilty of all charges.

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