Disgraced former Roslyn Schools Superintendent Frank Tassone will testify against his gay partner in the $11.2 million rip-off scandal.
Tassone’s lawyer, Ed Jenks, said his client “is cooperating,” despite Stephen Signorelli’s legal request to bar the testimony – because the two men had a gay marriage ceremony.
“No comment,” Tassone said outside a Mineola courtroom where his sentencing for stealing $2 million in the biggest school rip-off in U.S. history was postponed until next month.
Signorelli, Tassone’s longtime partner, was also charged with stealing $209,000 in the case. Signorelli faces trial and possibly more time behind bars than Tassone, who has a Ph.D.
Tassone faces four to 12 years in jail, instead of a possible 25 years – because he cut a deal with prosecutors, as did Pamela Gluckin, the former financial superintendent charged with stealing $4 million.
Jenks spoke after a morning conference behind closed doors with prosecutor Peter Mancuso and Judge Alan Honorof.
While Jenks was talking, an enraged parent from Roslyn – who claims Tassone was getting off easy – began berating the lawyer and his client.
“What would you have him do – hang himself?” Jenks asked the woman.
“Yes, I would,” the woman replied. “You’re representing a lowlife.”
Mancuso said Tassone’s sentencing was postponed until at least Jan. 11 because “we want to see Dr. Tassone’s cooperation play out.
“It’s important that it is full and complete before the sentencing,” Mancuso said.
Gluckin’s niece, Debra Rigano, Gluckin’s former assistant, was charged with stealing almost $1 million of taxpayer dollars in the scam.
Both Gluckin and Rigano cut cooperation deals to avoid long jail terms and are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 19.
Gluckin’s son, John McCormick has also been charged in the scam – for allegedly getting at least $83,000 worth of free building materials for his construction business using his mother’s school credit card – but has not made a deal.
The accountant who was supposed to audit the district’s books and ended up being charged in the cover-up – Andrew Miller – this month pleaded guilty to trying to hide the massive theft but was not charged with stealing funds.
Miller is also scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 11.
kieran.crowley@nypost.com