The Lie:
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman lied to the public when his Administration promised that interest earned from Opioid Settlement Funds would not be used for other purposes.
Why You May Believe the Lie:
Since 2022, over $100 million has been deposited into Nassau’s opioid settlement account, but only a small fraction of these funds has been spent to address Nassau’s urgent needs.
In response to criticism regarding the slow progress, the Blakeman Administration assured the public that the interest accumulating from the Opioid funds would not be redirected for other uses.
The Truth:
Blakeman transferred nearly $14 million in interest from Nassau’s opioid fund into its general fund, allowing those funds to be used for any County purpose, rather than dedicating them to drug prevention and education.
The Nassau County Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) is demanding that Blakeman replenish the $14 million he diverted from the Opioid Settlement Fund to prop up the County budget.
- The sole purpose of the settlement funds is to aid efforts to provide interventions, recovery services, education, support and assistance to individuals suffering from an opioid addiction and their families.
- Moreover, as inflation erodes the value of the opioid funds while they sit dormant in the County’s account, the transfer of nearly $14 million significantly reduces the available resources for opioid treatment and recovery.
Action You Can Take:
- Share this information on your social media and email and discuss it with your friends.
- Call County Majority Leader Kopel and demand that the Legislature investigate and hold hearings. You can contact Kopel’s office directly at 516-571-6207 or submit a request through the Nassau County Legislature contact form.
Source & Additional Media:
- NY Post, “Nassau County’s fiscal watchdog slams Bruce Blakeman over $14M in diverted opioid funds: ‘Unconscionable’ by Brandon Cruz, April 2, 2026:
- NY Post: “Drug distributors agree to settle New York opioid claims for up to $1.18B,” By Reuters, July 20, 2021
- Newsday, “Fiscal watchdog calls on Blakeman to reverse transfer of Nassau opioid funds” By Robert Brodsky, March 31, 2026
