MINEOLA, N.Y. – Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced the indictment of Scott Unger, former Director of Facilities for the Lawrence Union Free School District (LUFSD), and his co-conspirator Joseph Greenblatt for a scheme exceeding $2 million. The pair allegedly used Unger’s position to steer emergency HVAC and other lucrative contracts to a company they controlled, splitting the profits between April 2023 and May 2024.
Scott Unger, 65, of Long Beach, was arraigned before Judge Robert Schwartz on charges including Corrupting the Government in the First Degree, Conspiracy, six counts of Official Misconduct, and violation of municipal disclosure laws. Joseph Greenblatt, 59, of Island Park, faced similar charges.
Both pleaded not guilty and were released on their own recognizance. If convicted, they face between 8⅓ and 25 years in prison. Their next court date is July 28, 2025.
DA Donnelly stated, “Unger sought a bigger payday by manipulating the district’s contracting process with Greenblatt’s help. They created a company and secured over $2 million in contracts despite no prior HVAC experience, enriching themselves at the expense of the community.”
According to the indictment, Unger and Greenblatt formed SDF Service Plus, Inc., disguising Unger’s financial interest to unlawfully secure contracts from LUFSD. The scheme led to contracts exceeding $2 million and payments to Unger of more than $184,000.
Unger began his role as Director of Facilities in October 2022, shortly after which the previously contracted company, Hi Tech Air Conditioning Service, Inc., stopped work due to non-payment allegedly orchestrated by Unger.
In May 2023, the LUFSD Board declared an emergency for HVAC repairs, enabling Unger to award the contracts to SDF without competitive bidding. Despite having no prior clients or insurance, SDF took over the work, hiring former Hi Tech employees.
Unger expedited payments, directing checks from LUFSD straight to himself instead of SDF. He managed business operations, including emails, payroll, and accounting for SDF, while manipulating bids to exclude competitors.
Between July and December 2023, Greenblatt paid approximately 18% of SDF’s earnings to a shell company controlled by Unger. Unger used these funds to purchase a 2024 Kia Telluride.
The LUFSD paid SDF over $2 million from June 2023 to April 2024. Unger was suspended in May 2024 and resigned in November. The LUFSD Board terminated SDF in July 2024.
Both defendants surrendered to investigators on June 4, 2025. Authorities seized Unger’s vehicle and froze multiple bank accounts holding roughly $238,000.
The case is prosecuted by Deputy Bureau Chiefs Robert Cavallo and Jesse Aviram under supervision of Bureau Chief Kristen Fexas and Executive ADA Rick Whelan. Unger is represented by Mark Silverman, Esq., and Greenblatt by Michael Soshnick, Esq.
Charges are allegations; the defendants remain presumed innocent until proven guilty.
