I wonder how many others are abusing unemployment and what the system is doing to find and punish them for stealing.

I'm hope Mr. Fagen is planning to do the right thing and resign from the city council!

Ya gotta go, Mike; should you be exonerated and choose to run again, you'd be a shoo-in. Right now you are an unneeded distraction.

I was unemployed for 2 years...found a job and then laid off after 3 months....could not get unemployment...I have worked since I was 16, now in my 50's..and now I have to resort to getting food.stamps and barely making it....resorting to using money from my IRA to pay my rent....and this man steals....

a full across the board investigation is warranted given the all the civil service hijinks in recent years

Just the tip of the iceberg. The US Attorneys were nosing around City employees' homes early this morning asking questions and getting records from local banks.

Stay tuned for a lot more...

This bum needs to resign ASAP. What kind of disgusting people do we have "running" this town?

What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty. What if the accusations are untrue? How would you feel if you were innocent and the town was already sending you letters in jail. Come on people.....mike has been a strong supporter and given of his time...most of you can not say that. However you find the time to comment.....

Some of the people I knew on Unemployment also worked cash jobs OFF the books.
I cant believe someone could be that dumb to work a check.paying job ON the books while collecting Unemployment.
Theres gotta be some kind of beauracratic mixup.

An indictment is nothing! A prosecutor could indict a ham sandwich!!

If anybody should be going to jail, it should be Sofield and his little Hobbit!

I agree with Iaocoon, Sister Disco, MeAgain and PB.
And, I'm sure the malcontents who want to see Long Beach fail are lining up to spew their venom.

Anyone who has ever seen this guy in action; knows quite well what a DB he really is. The type that says at catholic school events; excuse me?? do you know who I am; I run the city. Hey buddy guess what....... I hope they put you where you belong and the only think you will be running, is the pillow biting club!

This man calls other people criminals? Isn't this guy like the 4th or 5th long beach democrat who has been arrested lately? How do any of them get elected?

What did his running mates, Adelson & Torres know about this? Did They know he was unemployed and collecting unemployment when they ran with Fagen? What did they know and when did they know it??

This leads to only more questions than it answers. Didn't these guys just get into office January? That don't take long!

Unbelievable! But typical for the Long Beach Democrats!

This guy Boodman is biggest malcontent and hateful person in the town. You have some nerve Boodman calling others what you are. Your just like Fagen, calling the kettle black. You never have a good thing to say

He was on food stamps too?
Collecting employment and food stamps sounds like the kind of person posters here say hang out at the Waldbaums shopping lot. And he's a white guy.

I don't have too much good to say either. But the guy hasn't been convicted, and according to the Long Beach Charter, serving as a Councilman isn't "work". Long Beach is a mess -- I don't like this guy either, but he hasn't been convicted of a crime and I don't believe he will be.

Whatever its called. It is income and was it declared?

maybe they need to change the charter to define being on the council as "work"

The department of Labor rules for unemployment:

Q: What does the Department of Labor consider work?

A: We consider you employed on any day when you perform any services, whether this work is:

An hour or less in self-employment
On a free-lance basis or
For someone else
It makes no difference whether this work is in covered employment or whether you get paid for that day. For example, work on a straight commission basis is still work. It does not matter that you may not receive the commission until later. It also does not matter even if you have not made any sales nor received any compensation.
You must report all of the work you do, whether it is for:
Yourself
A friend
A relative or
An employer
You must report any activity that brings in or may bring in income at any time.
If you are:
Doing free-lance work
Self-employed
Starting a business
Doing "favors" for another business

Even if he wasn't getting paid sitting on the council is considered work and he is most certainly an employee of the city of long beach.

well there it is then (though maybe they need to change the charter to define being on the council as "work")

TWO-FACE BANCHICK!!

Last night a woman went to the city council meeting. She said her name was Ruth Bernstein, but someone said that wasn't her her name-her real name is Ruth Banchick. She obviously a supporter of the new democrat council. She was calling on an FBI investigation of the previous council for mismanaging the city. Its funny though, where is she today? Where has she been since Fagan was arrested for stealing unemployment benefits? Why isn't she calling in the FBI to investigate this criminal? She is curiously very quiet! Funny, I also heard her son Aaron was one of the first people hired by the city manager as well! (What happened to friend and family she fought again- I guess her family is exempt). She is indicative of the two faced hypocrisy that this new administration stands for, and she and the rest of the clubhouse should be screaming bloody murder against how Fagan ripped off our taxpayer money. The Banchicks are an example of all that is wrong in America today!

SHAME ON YOU!

What does the other Council members have to say about this?

Does Torres and Adelson and Mandel Should he resign?

Fran Adelson and Len Torres campaigned with this guy when he was unemployed but they were all flaunting his incredible resume. The campaign literature said he was a executive with the New York Yankees. Did Fran and Len know he was unemployed?

What did they know and when did they know it?

Did they know their own campaign literature was false?

Did they know he was collecting unemployment checks while they all sat on the council together?

We want these questions answered now!

He was arrested prior to the election so yes they knew.

According to the article he was originally arrested June 7th, 201. 5 months before the election.

GIVE THEM ENOUGH ROPE THEY WILL HANG THEMSELVES

Ruth Banchick--where are you now?? As a dem committeewoman, u wanted sofield and Theofan investigated by the FBI for having a $100k surplus and off setting taxes with our surplus--- Where's the call for an FBI investigation for your guy Fagen who has been indicted on 38 counts of stealing from the tax payers???? Funny how Fagen had so much to say at the council meeting last night about honestly within the auditors report but he has been indicted for being a thief!! We should all call for his resignation immediately

Fagen's lawyer is Marc Gann, a partner in the law office of Collins, MacDonald and Gann. Bob MacDonald is one of the partners. Newsday [October 28, 2007] calls Bob “Nassau’s power broker” as he is the person generally credited with mentoring the candidacy of Nassau County current District Attorney, Kathleen Rice, as well as the candidacies of numerous Nassau County judges and politicians. Bob, who serves as the First Vice Chairman of the Nassau Democratic Party, “has made a name for himself helping Democrats get elected” in a county in which “Democrats now hold nearly all the highest offices” and he is “the guy to woo if you [want] the Democratic nod for any political office in the county” [Newsday].
Wonder where this is going. I'm sure there is a deal to give him a slap on the wrist. He probably won't even have to make restitution. It's bad enough that he had one job in the City Council while collecting but it turns out he had TWO! No wonder he always has that smug look on his puss. He probably knows he's untouchable!

Fagen's lawyer is Marc Gann, a partner in the law office of Collins, MacDonald and Gann. Bob MacDonald is one of the partners. Newsday [October 28, 2007] calls Bob “Nassau’s power broker” as he is the person generally credited with mentoring the candidacy of Nassau County current District Attorney, Kathleen Rice, as well as the candidacies of numerous Nassau County judges and politicians. Bob, who serves as the First Vice Chairman of the Nassau Democratic Party, “has made a name for himself helping Democrats get elected” in a county in which “Democrats now hold nearly all the highest offices” and he is “the guy to woo if you [want] the Democratic nod for any political office in the county” [Newsday].
Wonder where this is going?
It's bad enough that he collected while a Councilman and then claimed ignorance and a political witch hunt but it turns out he had TWO jobs! Funny, he seems to be an expert ob fiscal matters but allows himself to get into this? Pure greed and arogance! Let's see if there's restitution. HaHa! Probably, a plea deal and Fagen keeps his smug look on his puss. He needs to resign NOW!

Now that is some good info. A much deeper dive into the matter, speculation notwithstanding. Good to know.

But shouldn't we be talking about the main issue: city finances? (and how we got to where we are now?)

laocoon

7:27 pm on Wednesday, February 8, 2012

"Ruth Banchick sold her soul and shut up after the City gave her kid the exempt clerk's job she was whoring for the past year. You won't be hearing form her any more."

That is so utterly wrong on every level.

Apparently according to News 12 this morniing..Fagen has emails to the city of LB stating his income. It was all a set up.... Very Embarrassing for all of you haters...

Hi Jimargaret.... You , Sofield, and that troll Theofan screwed him along with the Police, Fire dept, Recreation dept and quicksilver. Your failure to reach a fair contract with the PD and FD many years ago is going to cost tax payers a boat load. You and your cronies are next to be indited, by the FEDs.

I do believe it is time for Fagen to step down. Please remember- theofan was very quick to excuse over payments to his buddies in civil service as an accounting error, they are as guilty as Fagen for taking money that they didn't deserve. Fagen didn't bankrupt an entire city, that was Theofan! I say lock up all of them. If Theofan said there was 3 million dollars in the bank less than a year ago and there was less- and he lied to the public for the sake of keeping his job- lock him up. Now I see why the old administration were so reluctant to release information to the citizens. Disgraceful and at the very least should be investigated. Take one of those LB buses and drive everyone over to the county jail...

I'd prefer Fagen to step down. Our city needs a focused council and city manager right now that is going to work together without any distractions from this indictment.

If this the type of people who live in Long Beach, I am truly disturbed.
We don't know the facts. Stop speculating. STFU and be objective base your conclusions on what evidence you know. And you know very little!

The danger is not Mike Fagan. The danger is those on this comment list that welcome public hangings.

We progress technologically, but history shows time and time again the moral bankruptcy of people.

Datt Matt: I'm thinking maybe whoever had the next highest vote count from the last election ? (Lala ducks as rotten eggs are lobbed her way!)

According to Joel S....Patch posters are more dangerous than corrupt politicians. Looks like I've found another lackey who'd rather shoot the messengers and the watch dogs than chastise a perpetrator.
Whatever happened to Free Speech, Joel?

Joel...Did you really use "STFU"? Can I take your line above that one and use it out of context where you state "I am truly disturbed" and agree with you wholeheartedly? The "..enough and they'll hang themselves" used in the comments is simply and old idiom for giving someone the chance to get themselves into trouble or expose themselves. What Fagan did was immoral. For him to time and time again submit online to the NYS Unemployment Office that he had no work, was incapable of work, was actively seeking employment, and had no income for the weeks he was claiming is an outright lie. Similar to the way John McLaughlin accepts 89,000 a year for life for a lung impairment that prevents him from doing what? Iron Man triathlons versus regular old marathons. That too is morally reprehensible. Sofield retiring and his son knowing the fiscal crisis we're in, well that's morally reprehensible too. Theofan and the rest of them squandering millions of dollars in surplus. Same thing. People are justifiably angry at the pathetic choices made by a long time inept city government in Long Beach. It is time to clean house. I have high hopes for the new city manager. We needed an "outsider" to pick up the rock we've been hiding under and let some sunlight in on the failed processes of previous administrations.

I have high hopes for the new city manager as well.

This article is ONLY regarding the alleged criminal acts committed by Michael Fagen. Stop trying to sidestep the issue by bringing up past politicians or others who have nothing to do with Fagen's misconduct.
It seems that some of you are dismissing Fagens
behavior because others before him were even worse.
just stick to this casr, PLEASE.

awesome & Datt Matt: Thank you. I wasn't sure of the mechanism. This is the last thing our poor city needs right now :(

That is a silly excuse for him to not resign. The indictment is an embarrassment and distraction for the council.

I would prefer for ANY council person who is in this position to resign so that the council and cm and move forward. It's the decent thing to do on behalf of the city. My thought, that's all.

DM: Oh, I agree. That was why I said it was the last thing we need now. People might not be fond of Fagen, but at least he was fairly elected. They could put up any bozo in his stead. That is truly the LAST thing we need now.

awesome: I feel as you do, but this is a sketchy time. We need stability and focus. I dread to imagine who they would appoint.

Mike is doing a good job of bringing info forward thru his expertise and he will resign when necessary, when guilty. he will be exonerated when they find out the pension scandal he was trying to bring to light with city council members and trying to bring truth to the residents cost him this hassle. wait and see

What is his expertise? I understand he was a commissioned time-share salesman.

I do understand what is going on here. City council members are being credited for 40 hours weekly work toward a State pension when only working thee hours per month. That scandal will eventually break. I understand Fagan opposed this which is why the other scum pretty much ratted him out.

But that doesn't change anything if the guy is indeed guilty, and that waits to be seen.

Mike was the scapegoat and thrown under the bus by Sofields and the Hobbit!!
They didn't appreciate his opposition!!

I heard some people were coming on here trying to say this guy is innocent-- To Mr. Fagen: you stole from us, you lied to us, you cheated us, and you deceived us. You now owe it to us to step down and respect the honor of being in office. You don't deserve it and I call for your resignation IMMEDIATELY

I agree... He should resign. His actions were unlawful and I'm glad he was caught. If the dems dont step up and also call for his resignation I will never vote for them again. I want to see that they know right from wrong and wont stand by him just because hes a dem but will stand up for the citizens and call for Fagens resignation

Gee, where is anyone calling for the heads of the prior administration for all their questionable and possibly criminal actions!!

Hey Jim how about:
Malfeasance is hostile, aggressive action taken to injure the client's interests.

This man 100% needs resign. We deserve to have elected officials who have not been indicted for grand larceny for stealing from the citizens he represents

How about innocent unroll proven guilty!

How you elected and now make excuses for a part fime, time-share salesman is beyond me.
After some of the experiences I've had with those types, I wouldnt hire one to clean my toilet.

You just can't justify Fagens criminal actions by throwing around the blame on others. If they did anything wrong, they're next on the DA's list.
Let's deal with this clown first.
And, BTW...the Patch article is VERY revealing by what it DOESN'T reveal.
Nowhere does it mention Fagen's party affiliation.
Am I reading too much into that?

As predicted, the "independent" minded city manager Jack Shnirman hired long time Democrat Clubhouse member, committeeman and operative to work in the city. He has been hired in the Community Development office as a "community liaison." The Community Development office has historically be run with one person only. This hire adds another list to the family and friends broken promise of this "new" administration and it violates a "hiring freeze" that was announced on Tuesday (and enacted by the city council ) with the fiscal emergency resolution. Again, how can there be a "fiscal crisis" and yet the "new" democrats keep hiring there friends??

i 'm just waiting to see where and when they hire Steve kohout

And what political party is Fagen a member?
Is it the Green Party? The Liberterian?
I can't tell from the article.
Must be a Joe K. oversight or a typo.

Must be a vast left wing conspiracy

Its all a sinister, leftist plot from the drive-by media.
I heard that from Rush Limbaugh.

Have we gotten a comment from any sitting council members on this 38 charge indictment? Force this man to step down immediately. He is an embarrassment to the city council and LB as a whole!

I still don't know Fagen's political affiliation. The Patch article conveniently ignored it.
Do I have to go the Newsday, The LI Press, or my local Pennysaver to find out?
Also missed any Fagen coverage on News 12.
No one has mentioned seeing it there.
I guess you all have FIOS or Direct TV.

Thank you Ruth Banschick and the other democrat croonies who stood up at the council meeting and asked for the FBI, DA, and all other law enforcement to investigate the problems in Long Beach and the city council. They came in to investigate and who did they get? FAGEN. Thank you for calling for an investigation into our corrupt governmental officials

Thanks Jean for the helpful answer.
My insight is fine, but my eyesight's not so good.
So can you print the name of Fagen's political party in BIG BOLD LETTERS, and maybe underline it too, so I can clearly make it out.
I also want all my liberal relatives and neighbors to see that their beloved politicians are some of the biggest cheats in town.

What was Richard Nixon's political affiliation? Can somebody verify that (ideally in big bold letters)?

Lloyd
8:10 pm on Saturday, February 11, 2012

Richard Nixon was a REPUBLICAN.
I have no problems with his presidency.
I just want to point out to my liberal friends and family that even Democrats can be crooks. They just dont believe me. And they swore that defeating and removing the evil Republicans will end corruption in our town.

Duly noted

Theres gotta be some good guys/gals around to run this city.
Doesnt matter if they have a D or R after their name. Just be honest and look out for the public good, not your party, your pocket, or your friends.
Am I dreaming?

I think they are all waiting for Fagen to step down first.
I dont think the Dems have the bawls to force him out..
Maybe they'll place him on the IR or DL and then bring up a rookie to fill his roster spot.

They have no gaul if they don't say anything prior to him stepping down. I'd equate this admin to Obama--- Promises of hope and change but then once they get into office they do the exact opposite of what they promise!

Fagen, step down and deal with your embarrassing charges on your own time instead of dragging down the LB city council simultaneously as you continue to drag down your own name even lower than it already is

I hate to burst your bubble , Joel, but to politicians like Fagen, the charges against him are NOT embarassing at all.
He's already fought back with counter-charges that its all a "Republican witch hunt" A "clerical error". According to him, that's no reason to step down.
He believes he's gonna be cleared.
Teflon Mike.

The Democratic club has a long history of not asking or requiring indited members to step down. This has been repeated a dozen times before, and right until the day they are carted off to prison, they are representing the CIty.

Long Beach mutts as these have no shame. It's a mentality that echos amung much of the trash in the town.

Democrat Clubhouse City Councilman, 2002- 2003, Guilty of embezzling $150,000 from a labor union. Served federal prison time.

Democrat Clubhouse District Court Judge, 2002-2005, Guilty of money laundering. Served federal prison time.

Democratic Clubhouse City Councilman, 2010- Present. Arrested, charged, and INDICTED with stealing grand larceny (38 counts) and faces up to 7 years in prison

Look, going back to June of 1924 when Mayor Reynolds was hauled off to jail the City wanted to allow him to legislate from his jail cell. Only after weeks of debate was it decided this would not be a good idea and he was ousted, only to be reinstated upon his release.

The place remains rotten to the core politically.

Say what you want about Pres. Nixon, but the man had the decency to step down without waiting to get impeached. That man had decency afterall.
Even slimes like Weiner and Spitzer resigned like men.But Long Beach politicians are cut from a different clith.

This stuff is just too funny. Almost too incredible for a newbie like my to believe.
I have just one word for Fagen and those corrupt politicians...CHUTZPAH.

Nixon should have said "I am indeed a crook"

He wasnt exactly a crook.
He was a paranoid, overzealous politician.

Fagen should step down!!! Does anyone know if there is anything the citizens can do to impeach or force him to give up his seat??

Yeah. Get him a job with the County.
Deputy Warden at the County Jail??

Honestly, is there anything that we, as citizens, can do to preserve the dignity of sittingon the city council by getting this man off? This is unbelievable and disgraceful to our home of LB