Legislator Trotta wants his colleagues to support the creation of a Suffolk County Office Of Inspector General.
A seemingly frustrated but hopeful Rob Trotta, Suffolk County legislator 13th LD, called a press conference on Tuesday, Feb 11th, to make public his proposal to create an Office Of Inspector General for Suffolk County. Trotta was joined by Anthony Piccirillo, 8th LD co-sponsor of the legislation.
Legislator Rob Trotta
Trotta, a fiscal conservative with a background in law enforcement said, “The bill is in response to the ongoing incidents of misconduct and abuse involving Suffolk County Government.”
Suffolk County has a population larger than eleven states and provides a range of services which, according to Trotta, “are often opportunities for fraud, waste, misconduct and mismanagement.”
Trotta points to recent cases and convictions of former Chief of Police James Burke, DA Thomas Spota, Chief of DA’s Corruption Bureau Christopher McPartland as evidence of corruption in Suffolk County Government and the horrifying death of 8 year-old Thomas Valva with the “…possible misconduct or mismanagement” by County Departments as justification for creating a department that has investigative and oversight responsibility.
According to the legislation “ An Independent Office of Inspector General at the County level would provide critical accountability and oversight to County government and would be able to identify, investigate and deter fraud, waste, mismanagement, misconduct and abuse.”
When questioned about cost and likelihood of the legislature supporting this legislation, he opined that the costs, while not determined at this time, will be affordable. He emphasized the need for a non-partisan person who has investigative skills. Legislators will appoint the nominee.
The Nassau County Office of the Inspector General (OIG) was created on December 18, 2017 by a unanimous vote of the Nassau County Legislature. Nassau’s Inspector General is Jodi Franzese, a former senior assistant DA for Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. According to the Nassau County OIG’s website “The mission of the OIG is to foster accountability, efficiency, integrity and restore trust in County government.” When the office was created, according to Newsday, the OIG salary was in the $150,000 range and the budget for staff was $550,000.
As far as the likelihood of passing the legislation, Trotta is hopeful, “This is the same, legislation with minor changes, that Legislator Calarco and Legislator Hahn have submitted .” Trotta is hoping that there will be bi-partisan support.
A public hearing on this legislation “1099 - A Charter Law to Establish an Independent Office of Inspector General for Suffolk County” has been scheduled for March 3, 2020 at 2 pm, Maxine Postal Auditorium, Riverhead.