News 12 Staff

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Jul 23, 2026, 11:45 AM

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Updated

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Suffolk Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo addressed a letter to President Donald Trump urging him not to grant pardons to former Suffolk County District Attorney Tom Spota and Christopher McPartland.

As News 12 previously reported, Spota and McPartland were convicted of corruption charges in 2019 for trying to cover up a police chief’s beating of suspect. Both were sentenced to five years in federal prison.

The two recently requested pardons, according to Justice Department records.

“Mr. Spota and Mr. McPartland were convicted for conduct that amounted to a serious breach of the public trust. As officials charged with upholding the law and preserving the integrity of our justice system, they instead used their positions in ways that undermined those very responsibilities,” stated Piccirillo in his letter.

Piccirillo argues that granting clemency in this case would risk undoing the work Suffolk County has invested in regaining the public’s trust.

“The people of Suffolk County deserve to know that everyone is accountable under the law, regardless of title or influence. That principle remains fundamental to maintaining confidence in our public institutions,” he said.