Town Clerk Receives Support from Latino Groups

Signs reading "Shame on you Kate Murray" were held high at Hempstead Town Hall last week as multiple Latino groups came out to support Town Clerk Mark Bonilla in the midst of his current legal troubles.

According to the Long Island Herald:

"Members of Latino organizations and other community groups across Long Island protested the Town of Hempstead’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebration last week in support of Mark Bonilla, the town clerk who recently said he does not plan to resign even though he faces criminal charges related to sexual harassment complaints by a town employee."

Bonilla was arrested on Sept. 21 and charged with official misconduct, second-degree attempted coercion and petty larceny, all misdemeanors.

A law enforcement source also told Newsday [paid link]:

"Three women in their 20s have made allegations 'of a sexual nature' against Bonilla, describing a 'hostile work environment.'"

Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice said in September that Bonilla had considered paying a female subordinate $10,000 after she had filed a claim of sexual harassment against him.

Last week's protest in support of Bonilla came after Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray condemned the town clerk's alleged actions, calling for his resignation in the process.

"I am personally offended and disgusted by the alleged conduct of the Town Clerk," Murray said in a statement issued by the town. "... As a result, I am calling upon the Town Clerk to immediately resign.”

The Herald reported:

"Protesters who had gathered outside Hempstead Town Hall Oct. 10 agreed that the clerk has been treated unfairly, saying that Murray acted insensitively by calling for Bonilla’s resignation when she did."

Town Honors Local Police Officers

Supervisor Murray in late September honored 14 police officers for their outstanding service during the Town of Hempstead’s 2012 Police Service Awards ceremony. Police officers from the villages of Freeport, Garden City, Lynbrook, Malverne, Rockville Centre and from the Nassau County Police Department were recognized for their respective acts of heroism in the line of duty.

"While we live, work and raise our families here in the Town of Hempstead, our dedicated police officers are patrolling the streets to ensure that our quality of life is protected," Murray said in a release. "I am proud to present these 14 police officers with the town's Police Service Award in recognition of their heroic and selfless acts."

The following police officers were honored during the town's 2012 Police Service Awards ceremony:

• Officer Brian Judson, Nassau County 1st Precinct
• Officer Michael Bonsignore, Nassau County 2nd Precinct
• Detective Charles Swany, Nassau County 2nd Squad
• Officers Ryan Hines and Jesus Bonilla, Nassau County 3rd Precinct
• Officers Robert Ryan and John Lutz, Nassau County 4th Precinct
• Detective Anthony Draghi, Nassau County 4th Squad
• Officer Juan Giron, Nassau County 5th Precinct
• Officer Joseph China, Freeport Police Department
• Officer Stephen Oswald, Garden City Police Department
• Officer Robert Harrison, Lynbrook Police Department
• Sergeant Robert Donovan, Malverne Police Department
• Officer Evan Siar, Rockville Centre Police Department