Democrats in Suffolk’s Public Safety Committee voted against a measure Thursday that would have launched an official misconduct investigation by the Legislature against the district attorney’s chief of staff.
Justin Meyers, one of the highest paid county employees, was accused by former co-worker Donna Schultz of being verbally abusive while he was the assistant police commissioner in Suffolk.
He also allegedly campaigned for then-Police Commissioner Tim Sini on county time during Sini’s run for district attorney.
The Democrats say they voted against the legislative probe because there are already two investigations looking into Meyers' conduct – one by Suffolk police and the other by the county attorney.
Republican Legislator Rob Trotta, who introduced the bill calling for the probe, says those two investigations likely will not uncover the truth because everyone involved has close ties to Executive Bellone, who took Meyers under his wing early in his career.
“This is going to be whitewashed by the Bellone administration,” said Trotta. “The culture of corruption from [former Police Chief James] Burke is continuing on and on, and it's time for it to end.”
DuWayne Gregory, the Legislature’s top Democrat, says he is confident that the active investigations will be "thorough and comprehensive."
He also said if any wrongdoing is found, Meyers could face termination from his position.
News 12 attempted to speak with Justin Meyers for this story, but he did not return a request for a comment.