Law Enforcement Organization Political Expenditures - Suffolk County Government
Suffolk County Law Enforcement Organizations Political Expenditures on Suffolk Co. Elective Offices 2011 – 2022
Amounts include direct campaign contributions made by six bargaining units from four county-level law enforcement agencies and the Suffolk County Police Conference and indirect political campaign expenditures made by the Long Island Law Enforcement Foundation (LILEF) – a Super PAC (Independent Expenditure Committee) dominated by the SCPD PBA.
Click here for detailed LILEF information.
Amounts reported are limited to law enforcement agency organizations whose collective bargaining agreements are negotiated with and approved by Suffolk County elected officials. Amounts do not include direct contributions made by Town, Village, retiree or Nassau County law enforcement organizations (LEOs) or indirect contributions made through various political party committees.
Due to limitations of the NYS Board of Elections reporting system, the LEO practice of altering and misspelling their organization names and using different addresses when reporting contributions and expenditures makes identification and calculation of total contributions and expenditures difficult if not impractical. Given this limitation, amounts reported here are “not less than”.
Terms:
Direct contributions are contributions that are made to a candidate’s political campaign by individuals, businesses, political campaigns, political action committees (PACs), and political committees.
Indirect expenditures are expenditures that are made by independent expenditure-only political committees (commonly referred to as Super PACs). Super PACs can make expenditures in support of and in opposition to political candidates but are prohibited from contributing directly to political campaigns and from coordinating their expenditures with political campaigns. Independent expenditures are made to purchase goods and services in support of and in opposition to political candidates including polling services; strategist services; radio, television, and on-line ads; mailings, signs, billboards, etc. - the very sort of services that campaigns purchase themselves.
The oily game of political semantics:
Some elected officials attempt to minimize the amount of political support they receive by mentioning only the amounts that are contributed directly to their political campaigns. Doing so can be materially deceptive as the summary above indicates that an Amounts reported are limited to law enforcement agency organizations whose collective bargaining agreements are negotiated with and approved by Suffolk County elected officials. Amounts do not include direct contributions made by Town, Village, retiree or Nassau County law enforcement organizations (LEOs) or indirect contributions made through political party committees.
The overwhelming majority of political funding is in the form of independent expenditures. The office of the County Executive cleverly minimized the degree of LEO funding he benefits from by emphasizing that the Executive observes election law campaign contribution limits. That is a dodge. While that can be true, it fails to acknowledge the nearly $1 million in indirect LEO political expenditures that he has benefitted from.
LEO political campaign expenditures account for more than 10% of total political expenditures made on behalf of incumbent executive branch elected officials and more than 17% of total political expenditures made on behalf of incumbent legislative branch elected officials.
66% of total LEO political campaign expenditures in the period were independent expenditures made by SCPD-dominated Super PAC LILEF.
LILEF expenditures account for 70% of total LEO political campaign expenditures made on behalf of incumbent executive branch elected officials
LILEF expenditures account for 63% of total LEO political campaign expenditures made on behalf of incumbent legislative branch elected officials
LEO political expenditures made to benefit the elected members of the Suffolk County Police Reform Task Force: $2,180,991
LEO political expenditures made on behalf of elected Suffolk County Executive Branch members: $2,630,070, $647,681 of which was for former District Attorney Tim Sini. Total LEO political expenditures for incumbent elected Executive Branch members are no less than: $1,982,389.
LEO political expenditures on behalf of incumbent Executive Branch members equivalent to 10.3% of aggregate political contributions to their collective campaigns in period.
Co. Exec Steve Bellone: $1,337,645
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures on his behalf equivalent to 7.7% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.D.A. Ray Tierney: $0
NYS Board of Elections records indicate no Suffolk Co. LEO organization contributions or expenditures made on behalf of Ray Tierney’s political campaign.Former D.A. Tim Sini: $647,681
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures on his behalf equivalent to 12.1% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.Sheriff Errol Toulon: $275,742
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures on his behalf equivalent to 24.1% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.Comptroller John J. Kennedy, Jr: $238,170
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures on his behalf equivalent to 14.2% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.
Kennedy was elected County Comptroller in 2015.
Kennedy is former Dist. 12 Legislator and husband of incumbent Dist. 12 Legislator Leslie Kennedy, who succeeded him.
During period, Kennedy served on the Public Safety Committee for 5-years and was succeeded by his wife, who has served on the Public Safety Committee since. He also served on the Ways and Means Committee for 5-years. His wife has served on the Ways and Means Committee since 2018.
Clerk Judith Pascale: $130,832
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures made on her behalf equivalent to 14.8% of total political expenditures made on behalf of her campaign in period.
LEO political campaign expenditures made on behalf of incumbent Suffolk County legislators: $848,554
LEO political expenditures on behalf of incumbent Suffolk County legislators equivalent to 17.3% of aggregate political contributions to their collective campaigns in period.
Notable LEO political expenditures for incumbent Suffolk County legislators:
Dist.6 Legislator Sarah S. Anker (D): $343,002
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures made on her behalf equivalent to 45.1% of total political expenditures made on behalf of her campaign in period.
During period, Legislator Anker served on the Public Safety Committee (1 yr.)
Dist.14 Legislator / Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey (R): $186,475
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures made on his behalf equivalent to 25.4% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.Dist.17 Legislator Tom Donnelly (D): $23,679
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures made on his behalf equivalent to 19.9% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.
During period, Legislator Donnelly served on the Public Safety Committee for 5-years, which he chaired from 2019 – 2021, and on the Ways and Means Committee for 3-years.
Dist. 2 Legislator Bridget Fleming (D): $64,256
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures made on her behalf equivalent to 16.3% of total political expenditures made on behalf of her campaign in period.
During period, Legislator Fleming served on the Public Safety Committee for 7-years where she was Vice-Chair from 2020 – 2021. She served on the Ways and Means Committee for 7-years, which she chaired from 2016 - 2021.
Dist. 12 Legislator Leslie Kennedy (R): $26,275
LEO political expenditures on his behalf equivalent to 12% of total political expenditures made on behalf of her campaign in period.
Legislator Kennedy has served on the Public Safety Committee since 2015, succeeding her husband, incumbent Suffolk County Comptroller John Kennedy, Jr., who has received not less than $278,170 in LEO political funding (14.2% of his total political funding) and served on the Public Safety Committee from 2010 to 2014. She has also served on the Ways and Means Committee, of which she is the current Vice-Chair, for 5-years. Notably, her husband served on the Ways and Means Committee from 2010 to 2014.
Dist. 1 Legislator Al Krupski (D): $75,221
LEO political expenditures on behalf of his campaign equivalent to 7% of total political contributions to his campaign in period.
LEO political expenditures made on behalf of Democratic office holders: $2,441,730
LEO political expenditures on behalf of incumbent Democratic Party office holders equivalent to 11.6% of aggregate expenditures made on behalf of their collective campaigns in period.
LEO political expenditures on behalf of incumbent Democratic Party office holders represent 86.3% of LEO expenditures made on behalf of Suffolk Co. office holders in period.
LEO political expenditures made on behalf of Republican office holders: $389,214
LEO political expenditures on behalf of Republican Party office holders represent 9.8% of aggregate expenditures made on behalf of their collective campaigns in period.
LEO political expenditures on behalf of Republican Party office holders represent 13.7% of LEO expenditures on behalf of Suffolk Co. office holders in period.
LEO political expenditures made on behalf of the Suffolk Co. Democratic Committee (2011 - 2020): $476,725
LEO political expenditures on behalf of the Suffolk Co. Democratic Committee equivalent to 3% of total contributions to the Committee in period)
LEO political expenditures made on behalf of the [Suffolk County] Campaign for a Democratic Legislature (2011 - 2020): $1,712,383
LEO political expenditures on behalf of the [Suffolk County] Campaign for a Democratic Legislature equivalent to 6% of total contributions to the Committee in period.
It should come as no surprise that, following the disclosure of systemic corruption and shocking betrayals of public trust SCPD and the District Attorney’s Office, mere weeks before disgraced former SCPD Chief James Burke pleaded guilty to federal charges of civil rights violations and conspiracy to obstruct justice, Democratic Suffolk County Legislators on the Public Safety Committee rejected a proposal to form a special legislative committee with subpoena powers to investigate county law enforcement. The Presiding Officer reportedly expressed concern that such a committee could interfere with the ongoing federal probe. Notably, Legislator Leslie Kennedy, who is still a member of the Public Safety Committee, was among those who voted to kill the proposal. The following excerpts from Newsday’s reporting are pertinent:
Legis. Kara Hahn (D-East Setauket), who made the motion to table the proposal subject to call, said the legislature could open an investigation once the federal government’s is complete. “The legislature is working on reforms even as we speak. So finding out the dirty details of what happened can wait a little bit,” she said.
The proposal won’t be voted on or considered unless there’s a motion by a Public Safety member and vote by the Public Safety Committee.
It is more than regrettable that a legislator with oversight responsibility would derisively liken such a crucial function to “finding out dirty details of what happened.” As for the suggestion that the legislature could “wait a little bit” to fulfill that vital role, it is worth noting that the legislature made no effort to implement meaningful reforms for four years and only then when mandated to do so by the Governor’s Executive Order (No. 203).
Notable LEO political expenditures for former Suffolk County elected officials:
Former D.A. Tim Sini (D): $647,681
Suffolk Co. LEO political expenditures on his behalf equivalent to 12.1% of total political expenditures made on behalf of his campaign in period.
Former Dist.7 Legislator / Presiding Officer Rob Calarco (D): $182,871.
LEO political campaign expenditures made on his behalf equivalent to 51% of total contributions to his campaign in period.
During period, Legislator Calarco served on the Public Safety Committee (8 yrs.) and Ways and Means Committee (8 yrs.) and served as the Presiding Officer of the legislature.
Former Dist. 18 Legislator William Spencer (D): $177,120.
LEO political campaign expenditures made on his behalf equivalent to 38% of total contributions to his campaign in period.
During period, Legislator Spencer served on the Public Safety Committee (9 yrs.) and Ways and Means Committee (7 yrs.)
Former Dist. 10 Legislator Tim Cilmi (R): $73,931
LEO political campaign expenditures made on his behalf equivalent to 19% of total contributions to his campaign in period.
During period, Legislator Cilmi served on the Public Safety Committee (2 yrs.) and the Ways and Means Committee (2 yrs.)
Long Island Law Enforcement (LILEF) Super PAC.
Funded by mandatory $1 / day / member contributions. Contributions are made by way of indirect expenditures in support of and in opposition to various incumbents and candidates that cannot be coordinated with the campaigns of the respective incumbents / candidates.
62% of total law enforcement political contributions in the period were made by LILEF alone.
The majority of expenditures are to procure professional services:
$2,742,013 to Brooklyn-based communications, public relations, political consultants Red Horse Strategies with offices in Washington D.C., California and Florida for ‘polling, literature, scripts, radio, etc.’
$1,434,140 to Ronkonkoma-based Billboards on Wheels for ‘print and mobile advertising’.
$406,477 to Jericho-based political consultant and registered lobbyist (NYS and Nassau County) Theresia “Resi” Cooper (president, CooperHill, LLC, former Long Island political director of Hillary Clinton’s Senate reelection campaign and NYS director of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign, former consultant for former Rep. Steve Israel, former Executive Director Accelerate Long Island, Vice Chairwoman Nassau County Democratic Committee) and Cooper’s Ten Key Strategies, LLC. For ‘literature, digital ads, radio, mailings, billboard . . . ‘ Cooper’s political network includes strong relationships with Christopher E. Kent, partner at Farrell Fritz PC; Winnie Mack, SVP Health System Operations at Northwell Health Inc.; Armand P. D’Amato, partner & Managing Director at Park Strategies, LLC; and John H Treiber, Vice Chairman Winthrop University Hospital Assoc.
$398,029 to Huntington-based Sunrise Outdoor Advertising, Inc. for billboards, literature and signs
$348,748 to Philadelphia-based Jamestown Associates political public affairs and corporate advertising firm for consulting services, digital ads, web / mobile ad design
$299,873 to New Jersey-based strategic communications firm Round World Consulting for ‘radio’. Round World specializes in direct mail, digital, television and radio production.
Suffolk County Board of Ethics Final Signed Advisory Opinion No. AO-2021-17 (Reconsideration) - New York State Election Law 14-116 Subject Matter: Elected Officials Official Discharge of Duties and Campaign Contributions
Relevant News Reporting
Suffolk Democratic legislators reject creation of committee to investigate law enforcement
Suffolk PBA super PAC mailer raises tensions in heated mayoral race pitting incumbent against predecessor June 7, 2021 | Newsday
Police-Backed School Board Wins In Smithtown Following Backlash Against Diversity Curriculum May 19, 2021 | WSHU
Suffolk PBA super PAC did not file campaign reports on time in 2020 May 8, 2021 | Newsday
Rein in Suffolk PBA spending April 25, 2021 | Newsday Editorial Opinion
Suffolk Closeup: County police unions wield great power April 13, 2021 | Shelter Island Reporter
Suffolk County, Where Police Call the Shots March 26, 2021 | New York Times Editorial Opinion
The Suffolk PBA and campaign spending limits March 15, 2021 | Newsday
Report: Suffolk Police Union Skirted Campaign Finance Laws March 15, 2021 | WSHU
Police unions give thousands to Long Island Dems pushing bad law change Feb 28, 2020 | Queens Daily Eagle
Suffolk police unions spent $830G on Bellone reelection bid, records show December 4, 2019 | Newsday
Long Island Law Enforcement Foundation spends big in Suffolk April 2, 2016 | Newsday
Suffolk police union’s ‘super PAC’ targets Riverhead supervisor with radio and web attack ads, direct mail Sep 1, 2015 | Riverhead Local
Obscenely high police salaries: Where's the political outrage?
Suddenly, those who bash public workers are silent about cops nearing 200K. They're not the only hypocrites, though April 11, 2014 | Salon
Brand: Suffolk police union spends big on politics January 25, 2014 | Newsday
Shadowy group brings culture war to Smithtown school board election May 12, 2021 | WSHU
Miscellaneous
Legislator Sarah Anker endorsements