Updated – 5/27/20 12:27pm: Former Hillburn Mayor, Ramapo legislator and former Ramapo Central School District administrator Brian Miele died yesterday. In 2014, Miele pleaded guilty to several misdemeanors, stemming from his approval of nonexistent educational credits that boosted the pay of his daughter and wife, who were both teachers in the school district. According to the Journal News, prosecutors estimated Miele cost taxpayers $2.6 million, initially charging him in a 187-count indictment carrying a maximum of 25 years in prison. Ramapo supervisor Michael Specht said his thoughts and prayers are with the Miele family. No other details about the cause of death were available. He was 70 years old.
In an interview with WRCR, Hillburn’s current mayor, Joseph Tursi, went down a list of accomplishments Miele had, including building a new youth center, improving the area’s water system and standing up to former governor Mario Cuomo who wanted to shut down the 4th street bridge for repairs. Mayor Tursi called Tuesday “Hillburn’s saddest day.” Miele was a trustee from 1975 to ‘77, then served as mayor from ’77 to 1998 and again from 2003 to 2009. He also served in the legislature during a good portion of the 90’s. He was 70 years old.