Arraignment - "Not Guilty" Plea For Smithtown's Highway Superintendent

Smithtown Highway Superintendent Glenn Jorgensen was arraigned this morning in district court.  The 63 year-old Jorgensen entered a “not guilty” plea to all four felony charges and a misdemeanor charge.  According to Suffolk County District Attorney, “The Highway Superintendent of Smithtown is charged with tampering with public records, falsifying business records, filing false records, official misconduct and grand larceny.”

According to the DA, Jorgensen allegedly directed the altering of road construction reports to conceal his approval of paving of at least eight Smithtown streets in freezing temperatures last November. The contractor identified as doing the paving is Suffolk Asphalt Corporation of Selden. 

There are clear standards written by the DOT that prevent paving in freezing temperatures that were not followed. ““State Department of Transportation construction standards dictate asphalt must not be applied to a road surface in freezing temperatures; and in fact, the town’s own engineer has said repaving in freezing weather would result in the asphalt falling apart,” District Attorney Spota said.  “The repaving of a residential street doesn’t happen that often and when it does, residents are paying for a job done correctly, not a faulty repaving that will soon need pothole repair work.” 

“The misdemeanor grand larceny charge Jorgensen faces alleges the Superintendent stole work order for the improper repaving and took the official documents home.  District Attorney Detectives found the records in Jorgensen’s Hope Place residence, in his bedroom, under his bed.” statement issued by District Attorney Tom Spota.