GLEN COVE, NY (1010 WINS) — Officials on Long Island are calling for the closure of a Russian compound that has been at the center of a long-standing conflict over tax status amid the conflict in Ukraine.
Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman joined Congressman Lee Zeldin, Glen Gove Mayor Pam Panzenbeck, and Ukrainian Americans of Long Island outside of the Killenworth Estate in Glen Cove on Saturday to call on President Biden to immediately close the compound and expel any remaining Russian Diplomats.
"President Biden, expel these Russians from Nassau County," said County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman. "We don't need them here and let's get this property back on the tax rolls so the people of Nassau County and Glen Cove don't have to finance thugs and dictators and people who invade innocent countries."
Bruce A. Blakeman calling on Biden to close Russian compoundBruce A. Blakeman
The estate, which is still an operational Russian property, causes the loss of roughly $50,000 a year in tax revenue as the City of Glen Cove continues to debate the property's tax status.
"The United States cannot let Putin's people doing his bidding to live in tax-free compounds on Long Island," said Congressman Lee Zeldin. "President Biden must immediately close Russia's Killenworth Estate and send their diplomats packing today!"
Ukrainian Americans of Long Island outside of the Killenworth Estate in Glen CoveBruce A. Blakeman
Back in Dec. 2016, the Obama administration ordered a Russian-owned Brookville mansion to be closed. Described as a "recreational compound," the estate was shuttered because of Russia's alleged interference in the U.S. presidential election and harassment of U.S. diplomats in Russia. The next day, 35 Russian diplomats were expelled from the Brookville premises.
