Smithtown Highway Chief Pleads Not Guilty to Felony Charges

Smithtown Highway Superintendent Glenn Jorgensen plead not guilty Wednesday to multiple felony charges stemming from an improper paving project last November that Jorgensen attempted to cover up, authorities say.

The 63-year-old, who was ordered to appear in court by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota, is charged with felony counts of tampering with public records, falsifying business records and official misconduct. He is also charged with misdemeanor grand larceny.

Spota said Jorgensen, of St. James, directed the altering of road construction reports to conceal his approval of the paving of at least eight Smithtown streets in freezing temperatures by contractor Suffolk Asphalt Corporation of Selden.

Jorgensen then directed a highway foreman to alter the records to misrepresent the weather conditions during the repaving work, Spota said.

“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,” 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.”

Jorgensen, who is serving his second term as highway chief following a 37-year career with the highway department, is also accused of stealing the work order for the improper paving. The records were found under Jorgensen’s bed at his home on Hope Place, Spota said.

Photo: CBS2 report screenshot

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