On Aug. 28, the Commissioners of the Great Neck Park District Robert Lincoln, Ruth Tamarin and Ivar Segalowitz held a press conference and released the following statement:

"On March 1 of this year, the financial records of the Great Neck Park District for the year 2005 as well as the personnel files for certain employees were subpoenaed by the Nassau County District Attorney. This action was part of an investigation into alleged criminal misconduct within the Park District. We were informed that the investigation was initiated as a result of accusations made by a resident of the park district. The district attorney would not release the name of the accuser, and further requested that we remain silent during the investigation.

"From the start, all three commissioners knew that we were innocent of any wrongdoing, and we never questioned the honesty and integrity of our superintendent and staff. For the past six months, our records have been scrutinized, employees have been interrogated and our counsel has explained numerous details to the assistant district attorney in charge of the case.

"We are pleased to announce that on August 24 we received a communication from the district attorney which states that the investigation has been terminated and no charges are being brought. They have instructed our counsel to reclaim the eight boxes of files that had been delivered to the district attorney.

"Although we knew that there has been no misconduct, and we fully expected the vindication that we have received, an investigation of this nature is not without impact. The personal stress that was placed on everyone involved has been immense and unfair. Resources which were to be used for productive projects were either placed on hold or redirected to compiling information for the district attorney. And, most important, although we were wrongly accused, it was necessary to spend taxpayers' dollars toward unanticipated legal expenses.

"Last year, at the budget hearing for special districts held by the Town of North Hempstead, certain individuals from our community alleged that the park district misappropriates funds and a forensic audit was demanded by one resident. The transcript of that hearing is in the town's files and available to all under the Freedom of Information Law.

"Given the allegations that have been made, and the fact that criminal misconduct has in fact been committed by other public officials on Long Island, we believe that it is in the best interest of our taxpayers that we take steps to further reinforce the fiscal integrity of the Great Neck Park District. We are proceeding, through the services of an outside accounting firm, Albrecht, Viggiano, Zureck and Company of Hauppague, New York, to conduct a forensic audit of our operations. This audit will review our internal audit controls, verify that expenditures have been made as allocated and approved, and that payroll is distributed only to actual employees.

"We are proud of the accomplishments we have made in recent years and the open manner in which we conduct our business. It is unfortunate that false accusations can be as disruptive and costly as has occurred. Nevertheless, it is imperative that the public is able to trust the people whom they elect to office. We believe that the result of the investigation just completed and the audit now under way will serve to reinforce that trust."

Commissioners answered questions following the reading of the above statement. The investigation was costly financially and emotionally, according to the commissioners. Since the park district needed copies of all original records subpoenaed, thousands of papers were copied adding to the legal fees. Those hard costs amount to $21,737. Superintendent Neil Marrin estimates the cost of staff time to comply with the DA's office at $11,000 and that is "a conservative estimate." The cost of diversion of energy from other projects is inestimable, the park commissioners reported.

Chairman Robert Lincoln said, "I have spent a lifetime building and protecting my integrity. I have handled large sums of public money and I take better care of it than I do my own money. These last few months, we have carried on but it has felt like having a concrete brick over one's head."

Ruth Tamarin said, "It has been frustrating because everything we've been working on for the future has been delayed. It has been demoralizing to the staff. We have felt besieged."

Ivar Segalowitz stated that this park board has bent over backwards to be transparent and seek community input on issues, which has made the investigation especially "hurtful."

Ironically, the park district had been moving toward the implementation of a computerized program that makes tighter financial controls more efficient to manage. This, too, had to be put on hold as the district scrambled to supply all documentation required by the district attorney's office.