Here is one of the latest interesting defenses in the Roslyn case. It seems that Tassone's "roomie" now wants "Spousal privileges". Not only did he take loads of money from the taxpayers by billing for false software services - he also took one heck of a honeymoon too! A honeymoon from reality!
Is this really the type of persons that are desirable in the school systems?
Distorters of reality can impact those around themselves. And those that try every means possible to squirm out of accepting their punishment for crimes when caught in the act, have personal standards that are the lowest of the low.
The "American Way" of truth, honesty and responsible living is tarnished by the likes of these two "partners".
This is an apt phrase since they are ~ ~ ~ partners in crime!--------------------
Tassone's domestic partner asks for "marital privilege" in court --------------------
BY KARLA SCHUSTER AND EDEN LAIKIN
STAFF WRITERS
November 23, 2005, 9:42 PM EST
The honeymoon, it would seem, is over.
Two months after former Roslyn Superintendent Frank Tassone implicated his longtime companion in an $11.2-million embezzlement scheme, the partner says Tassone would be violating "solemn" vows they made during a commitment ceremony in the Caribbean if he testifies against him.
Stephen Signorelli, 60, who has pleaded not guilty to a grand larceny charge in the Roslyn case, says in court papers that a Nassau judge should treat them like spouses, and bar Tassone from testifying if Signorelli's case goes to trial.
"Mr. Tassone and I have been loving partners for 33 years," Signorelli said in an affidavit, adding that in February 2001, the two men "had a solemn religious ceremony at sea to memorialize our relationship and love for one another."
In April 2002, the two men, who still live together on the Upper East Side, registered with New York City as domestic partners.
In some instances, spouses can legally be prevented from testifying against one another. However, New York State's so-called "marital privilege" law, as written, "does not extend to homosexuals in a 'spousal relationship.'"
But in a motion argued Wednesday before Nassau Judge Alan Honorof, Signorelli's attorney said that the court cannot ignore how long the two men have lived together. He noted in court papers that Signorelli and Tassone are beneficiaries of each other's wills, can be seen in each other's family photographs and "have shared every single Thanksgiving, Christmas and other holidays together."
The court documents also include a "solemnization" certificate from the Caribbean ceremony, which was signed by a minister named Rev. Dr. Brian A. Johnson, and a New York City certificate of domestic partnership.
"It's our position that the statute should be read gender-neutral," said Signorelli's attorney, Kenneth Weinstein of Garden City. "If a heterosexual couple can assert marital privilege, then a homosexual couple should be able to do the same."
Tassone has pleaded guilty to stealing at least $1 million from the school district between 1996 and 2002. As part of his deal for a reduced sentence of 4 to 12 years, Tassone provided evidence against Signorelli, who is charged with stealing at least $219,000 by submitting phony invoices to the district for his word-processing company, Word..Power. Tassone would also be required to testify if Signorelli's case, which is pending, goes to trial. "It's a matter of survival of the fittest, and making the right choice in cooperating and coming clean and being truthful in an effort to minimize the sentence," said Tassone's attorney, Ed Jenks of Garden City.
Jenks confirmed the commitment ceremony and the domestic partnership registration, but predicted it would have no impact on the case.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Mancuso declined to comment yesterday, except to say that "we are in the process of reviewing the motion and formulating our response."
Tassone's alleged theft included more than $139,000 spent on cruises for himself, family and friends, according to prosecutors and auditors from the state comptroller's office.
Authorities could not say yesterday whether the Caribbean commitment ceremony trip was charged to the school district. But given the amount of money stolen, some Roslyn residents said they would be surprised if it hadn't been.
"I'm sure we paid for it," said former school board chairman William Costigan. "We probably paid for the suits, too."
School district records obtained by Newsday show that Tassone traveled on the district's dime several times before and after the commitment ceremony, sometimes accompanied by Signorelli and sometimes by others.
Just three months after their vows, in May 2001, for example, Tassone charged the school district $30,913.74 for a five-day trip to London with a friend, Joel Nash, that included a seat aboard the Concorde and a $1,800-per-night hotel suite.
Honorof gave prosecutors until Dec. 5 to respond to Signorelli's motion. It also included a request to dismiss the indictment, or to move the case out of Nassau County because the intense media coverage will make it impossible to find an impartial jury there.
Meanwhile, Tassone and Signorelli remain free on bail, sharing the same apartment, although they apparently have very different views of their relationship.
Signorelli, according to Weinstein, says they are still together. But Jenks said Tassone has told him the two are just friends.
"It's a platonic relationship," Jenks said, "at least now."
Copyright (c) 2005, Newsday, Inc.
This article originally appeared at:
www.newsday.com/news/local/longisland/ny-lirosl1124,0,2168631.story?coll=ny-top-headlines
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