A court decision cleared the way for Nassau Democrats last week to take control of the Nassau Off-Track Betting Corporation, a rich source of patronage jobs parceled out among Nassau Republicans for years.
The state Court of Appeals declined to issue a temporary injunction barring a Democratic county legislator, Roger Corbin of Westbury, from voting to name two Democratic members to the OTB board. Mr. Corbin's vote was essential for the Democrats, who have 10-to-9 legislative majority.
The Republicans had contended that Mr. Corbin could not vote because he is employed by the New York City OTB. They won a state Supreme Court decision upholding their position and stalling the appointments of two Democrats, Thomas DeJesu and Christopher Wright. But the Appellate Division overturned the ruling, leading to the Republicans' unsuccessful appeal to the high court.
Mr. Wright and Mr. DeJesu were to replace Gregory Peterson, the OTB chairman and former supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, and Joseph Bentivegna. The third seat is vacant.
The Republicans said Mr. Peterson would remain as OTB president under a contract that lasts through January and would remain in control of staffing decisions until then. About a dozen appointed patronage positions are at stake.
Republicans noted that Mr. Wright was treasurer of the fund-raising committee for the Democratic presiding officer, Judy Jacobs, and that Mr. DeJesu was related to the Nassau Democratic Party chairman, Tom DiNapoli. John Rather
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