Uniondale Woman Sentenced for $75K Bank Loan Fraud
Janelle DeFreitas sentenced to 4-8 years for fraudulently obtaining a $75,000 Dime Bank loan using straw persons in a multi-branch scheme.
Tom Brennan
Political Columnist
tombrennan@longislandforum.com PoliticsElectionsPolitical CommentaryGovernment
About Tom
Tom is a veteran political columnist who has covered Nassau and Suffolk politics for two decades. He brings deep sourcing and institutional knowledge to every story, with a track record of holding local officials accountable.
Stories by Tom
Josh Goetz: Long Island Architectural Photographer
Josh Goetz is a Long Island architectural photographer whose coastal roots and creative journey shape his distinctive work for real estate firms and designers.
2026 North Hempstead Polar Plunge Raises $86,000
Over 100 participants raised $86,664 for Special Olympics New York at the 2026 North Hempstead Polar Plunge in Port Washington on March 7.
50 Immigrants Sworn In as Citizens at Port Washington HS
Fifty immigrants from 25 countries were naturalized at Paul D. Schreiber High School in a historic Nassau County citizenship ceremony.
Shopping Tycoon David Simon, Simon Property Group CEO, Dies at 64
David Simon, CEO of Simon Property Group and force behind malls like Roosevelt Field and Smith Haven on Long Island, has died at 64 after a battle with cancer.
Nassau County Pedestrian DEAths 2026: 5 Fatalities So Far
Five pedestrian deaths recorded in Nassau County through March 2026, with the annual pace potentially trending below recent years despite tragic losses.
Great Neck Man in Iran Designated Wrongful Detainee
The State Department has designated Kamran Hekmati, a 70-year-old Great Neck resident imprisoned in Iran's Evin Prison, an official wrongful detainee.
Roslyn Area Village Elections: New Faces Join Incumbents
Roslyn Harbor village elections brought low turnout but meaningful change, with newcomer Lauren Archer winning a trustee seat and incumbents returning to office.
Floral Park Trustees Stewart & Longobardi Win Reelection
Jennifer Stewart and Michael Longobardi win uncontested reelection to the Floral Park Village Board under the Citizens Party, which has governed for 70 years.
Great Neck Rally Cheers US-Iran War Effort in 2026
Over 100 members of Great Neck's Persian Jewish community rallied in support of US and Israeli military action against Iran, waving American and Israeli flags.
Loggia Glen Cove Installs New Officers for 2026–2027
Loggia Glen Cove installed its 2026-2027 leadership on March 3, with Raphael Ciano sworn in as president of the Italian-American fraternal lodge.
Hillside Islamic Center Sues North Hempstead Over Expansion Denial
A New Hyde Park mosque filed a federal lawsuit alleging North Hempstead used zoning authority to discriminatorily block a fully compliant expansion request.
Blakeman's State of the County: Safety Wins, Affordability Questioned
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman touts public safety wins and affordability claims, but cost-of-living data tells a more complicated story for residents.
Port Washington Gets $2.2M for Sewer & Water Upgrades
Rep. Tom Suozzi secures $2.2M in federal funding for aging sewer infrastructure in Manorhaven and Port Washington Water Pollution Control District.
Great Neck Doctor Gets 7 Years for Oxycodone Pill Mill
Dr. Roya Jafari-Hassad sentenced to seven years in federal prison for running an oxycodone pill mill and defrauding Medicare and private insurers.