Legislator Rob Trotta released the following statement on the retroactive promotion of Elaine Barraga.
Nepotism at Its Best…
Suffolk Legislator Trotta Denounces Approval of Legislation to Promote Daughter of County Legislator Retroactively for Last Six Years
When I was sworn into office as a Suffolk County Legislator, I took an oath to uphold the laws of the State of New York and Suffolk County, as did my colleagues on the Legislature and the County Executive. Apparently this oath has meant little to my fellow legislators and the County Executive as they think they are part of an elite ruling class who can make their own laws when it suits them for their own purpose.
The law in question is the failure of the County Executive, the County Attorney and Legislator Tom Barraga to file the required legislation to promote and provide a pay raise for Elaine Barraga, in the Department of Law, who is the daughter of sitting Legislator Barraga.
Ms. Barraga’s employment history with the County is as follows:
“While I have nothing against Elaine Barraga and do not know her, I am appalled that the County Executive and County Attorney would now, when caught, introduce legislation to approve her promotions retroactively. Furthermore, I am disappointed that my colleagues see fit to support this legislation rather than uphold the laws of the Suffolk County,” said Legislator Rob Trotta. “I would expect this type of political scheming in Russia or a Third World country, but not in Suffolk County. What message does this send to the taxpayer? If you do something wrong you pay a fine, if the “ruling class does, we just change the law,” added Trotta.
“Furthermore, I find it troubling that the promotions of Ms. Barraga appear to coincide with at least two votes where Legislator Barraga voted along with Democrats on important bills,” said Trotta. “Legislator Barraga’s latest vote increased mortgage fees by $300, contradicting his previous vote in opposition to the budget that called for the increases. His vote for the fee increases enabled two Democratic legislators, who may face a tight re-election race, to vote against the fee increases even though they previously voted in support of the budget containing this and other fee hikes. The day before the vote, legislation was introduced by the County Executive to formally promote Ms. Baraga to Bureau Chief. What more can I say?” Trotta added.
During the discussion at the March 7 legislative meeting about the resolution to retroactively confirm the three promotions of Elaine Barraga, one Democratic legislator who had also voted against the mortgage increase conveniently left the room and was absent for the vote which passed 14 - 1 with Legislator Trotta voting no.