Serving Williston Park, East Williston, Mineola, Albertson and Searingtown
$1.50
Friday, March 22, 2024
Vol. 73, No. 12
GRAND OPENING
R E A L J A PA N E S E F L A V O R
GUIDE TO SPRING
DALIMONTE, DeSENA CLASH ON TOWN OPERATIONS
PAGES 21-28
PAGE 3
Herricks not liable in sex abuse case
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SENIORS CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY
Jury rejects $14M claim by exstudent molested by psychologist BY TAY L O R H E R Z L I C H A Nassau County jury Friday found the Herricks Union Free School District not negligible in the first Child Victims Act case against a Long Island school district to go to trial. The plaintiff, referred to as J.G., alleged he was sexually abused in the 1980s by then-school psychologist Vincent Festa. The jury found the school district did not act with reckless disregard in failing to protect the plaintiff from sexual abuse despite prior warnings and reports of abuse against Festa. The jury deliberated for eight hours over three days before reaching a verdict. “We’re surprised and disappointed,” said attorney Jeffrey Herman, who represented J.G., following the verdict. “But at the end of the day, the most important thing was my client to have his day in court and to have a voice. I watched him in this trial barehis soul, and he was getting relief as the case went on.” The plaintiff was seeking $14 million. He claimed that Festa abused him for eight years, starting when he was a student at Herricks Middle School. Herricks Superintendent Tony Sinanis and Board of Education members issued a statement to district parents Friday: “We are pleased that justice
was served fairly and impartially for all parties involved. Furthermore, we are pleased that programs and services offered to our students throughout the district will not be adversely affected by a substantial monetary judgment in this case.” The district has paid more than $1 million to settle four of the 21 claims against the district thus far. The district’s proposed 2024-2025 budget is up by 5.2%, representing a budget-to-budget increase from last year of $6,990,394. Without the costs being allocated toward legal fees, the budget would only increase by 3.25% as opposed to 5.2%. There is currently one other trial involving Herricks. The case is also being heard by a jury in Nassau County Supreme Court. Like J.G., the plaintiff is seeking monetary damages for alleged abuse by Festa, claiming the district ignored initial reports of abuse in the 1980s, thus permitting the abuse to ensue. The 2019Child Victims Act extended the statute of limitationsfor survivors of child sex abuse, granting survivors more time to press criminal charges against offenders. The act also applied to civil cases, allowing victims more time to file a claim for money damages. Continued on Page 38
PHOTO COURTESY OF TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD RECEIVER JEANINE C. DRISCOLL
The Town of Hempstead celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with senior citizens at the Sands.
Newcomer Vaidya ousts incumbent trustee in E.W. B Y T A Y L O R H E R Z L I C H total of 166 votes. Challenger Rushi Vaidya won one of the two trustee seats up for election Tuesday night in the Village of East Williston, ousting incumbent Trustee James Lark. In the Villages of Williston Park and Mineola, incumbent candidates ran unopposed for their seats and were victorious. Vaidya received a total of 203 votes, winning a trustee seat and pushing out Lark, who received a
Incumbent Trustee Anthony Gallo received a total of 196 votes, securing his seat. And incumbent Village Justice Emil Samuels received 246 votes, securing his seat. Two Cub Scout troop leaders turned East Williston village board trustees, Lark and Gallo, have been serving together since 2020. The pair make good friends, living just a few blocks apart. They are both fathers who like to volunteer for their kids’ organi-
zations, whether it be coaching the local Little League or heading up a scout troop. They have worked well together over the years, with both trustees viewing the East Williston board as a well-oiled machine. But their time on the board together will come to an end this year. Vaidya moved from Astoria to East Williston in 2022 with his wife and son. Continued on Page 39