Acting Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas has received the endorsement of Daniel R. Alonso, the former chief assistant under Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance Jr. and supervisor to Singas’ Democratic primary opponent Michael A. Scotto.
“As a former Chief Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, I’ve seen firsthand the qualities that make an exceptional District Attorney – and Madeline Singas has them all,” Alonso said in a statement. “That makes her the best-qualified candidate to serve the people of Nassau County.”
In Manhattan, Alonso oversaw the operations of Vance’s office’s divisions, bureaus and units, including 500 assistant district attorneys.
Scotto worked 22 years in the Manhattan DA’s office under Vance and former DA Robert Morgenthau, ascending to the role of chief of the office’s Rackets Bureau.
“I’m not surprised, he told me he was raising money for her and that he was going to support her,” Scotto said. “He did say he thought my experience was broader in terms of public corruption and I don’t think he’d say otherwise today.”
Alonso said he worked closely with Singas when she was chief assistant to former Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice, adding Singas “is an aggressive and progressive prosecutor, an inspiring leader and a true professional.”
Singas, who will face Scotto in a September 10 primary, was also endorsed earlier this week by state Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) and Nassau County Legislator Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury), and last week was endorsed by North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck).
On Wednesday, Singas was also endorsed by Hempstead village Mayor Wayne Hall, Deputy Mayor Luis Figueroa and Trustee Waylyn Hobbs.
“From prosecuting financial crimes to serving as the Manhattan DA’s second-in-command, Dan Alonso has an outstanding reputation and is truly a leader in criminal justice circles,” Singas said in a statement. “I am honored to receive the endorsement of such an outstanding former prosecutor.”
The winner of the primary would face Republican Kate Murray, the Town of Hempstead supervisor, in November’s general election.
