New york school director surrenders to police in $2 million corruption scandal

MINEOLA, N.Y. — Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the indictment of Scott Unger, 65, former Director of Facilities for the Lawrence Union Free School District (LUFSD), and Joseph Greenblatt, 59, for allegedly orchestrating a $2 million scheme to secure emergency HVAC and other contracts through a company they created. The indictments were unsealed on June 10, following a year-long investigation.

Unger, of Long Beach, faces charges including Corrupting the Government in the First Degree, Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, six counts of Official Misconduct, and a violation of General Municipal Law for failing to disclose his financial interest. Greenblatt, of Island Park, is charged with Corrupting the Government in the First Degree, Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree, and one count of Official Misconduct. Both pleaded not guilty before Judge Robert Schwartz and were released on their own recognizance. If convicted, each faces up to 8-1/3 to 25 years in prison. They are due back in court on July 28.

“Scott Unger allegedly manipulated the district’s contracting process to enrich himself and his co-conspirator Joseph Greenblatt,” said DA Donnelly. “Using lies and deception, they positioned their inexperienced company to secure over $2 million in contracts, betraying the public’s trust.”

According to the indictment, between April 2023 and May 2024, Unger and Greenblatt operated SDF Service Plus, Inc. (SDF), a corporation they formed to obtain LUFSD contracts while concealing Unger’s involvement. Unger, hired as Director of Facilities in October 2022, allegedly undermined the district’s existing HVAC contractor, Hi Tech Air Conditioning Service, Inc., by withholding payments, prompting Hi Tech to halt work in February 2023.

Unger then allegedly influenced the LUFSD Board to declare an emergency, bypassing competitive bidding. SDF, with no prior experience or insurance, was awarded the HVAC contract and hired former Hi Tech employees. The district paid SDF $2,050,205 between June 2023 and April 2024. Unger expedited payments, personally depositing checks into SDF’s account, and allegedly rigged bids to favor SDF.

Greenblatt funneled approximately 18% of SDF’s earnings—over $184,000—to Unger’s shell company, Scott Mitchell Management, Inc. (SMM). In December 2023, Unger used $61,123 from SMM to purchase a 2024 Kia Telluride, registered in his name. Unger also withdrew large cash sums from SDF’s account with Greenblatt’s approval.

The scheme unraveled in May 2024 when Unger was suspended. He resigned in November 2024, and the LUFSD terminated SDF’s contract in July 2024. On June 4, the defendants surrendered to NCDA investigators. The NCDA’s Civil Forfeiture Unit seized Unger’s Kia Telluride and froze bank accounts, including an SDF account holding $238,000.

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