Nassau: Transparency? What transparency?

                                                                          
                                                                      

                                     

There was no sound during the livestream of the last meeting of the Nassau County legislature on June 27.

Today, there was no sound or video of the county legislative meeting. Just a black box on the computer screen where the broadcast was supposed to be.

It certainly appears like Nassau lawmakers don't want the public to know what they're doing.

Today they were expected to confirm the appointment of five new judges to the district court.

And approve a $650,000 offer to settle a lawsuit against Nassau Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder filed by former Black female police officer Delores Sharpe, alleging racial and sexual discrimination.  A deposition in the lawsuit also accuses Ryder using a racial slur many years ago.

Apparently, the legislature confirmed four of the nominated district court judges, though there was no broadcast of the vote: Sources say the legislature approved Democrats Marie McCormack and Jaclene Agazarian and Republicans Michael Montesano and Joseph Nocella. 

Republican Norman Sammut of Wantagh was nominated but was not voted on today.

Some legislators reportedly were absent or attending remotely but who knows? Also, Legis. Carrie Solages (D-Lawrence) abstained on the vote for Nocella. Why? Who knows.

As for the settlement offer? 

We'll see.

Gothamist.com reported Friday that Fred Brewington, a leading Nassau civil rights attorney who is representing Sharpe, had filed a deposition in her lawsuit in which a retired officer alleges that Ryder used a racial slur to describe Sharpe during an off-duty tirade seven years ago.

Gothamist reported Charles Volpe, the retired officer, accused Ryder, while a sergeant, of referring to Sharpe as an “(expletive) N-word.”

Sharpe's lawsuit charges Nassau with wrongful arrest and racial and sex discrimination in connection with her arrest in 2013 by Volpe and another officer following a squabble over parking. Sharpe was subsequently acquitted.

Volpe has his own lawsuit against Ryder, charging him with harrassment and illegal searches.

It seems really complicated and convoluted.

Ryder and Nassau have denied the allegations.

But Brewington told the Gothamist, again, that Ryder should resign.

Brewington had called for Ryder to resign last year after Newsday reported that Ryder had linked the lack of diversity on the county police force to broken homes among black and brown police candidates.

Ryder subsequently apologized.


 

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 19, 2023 at 7:03 PM

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-p2TAVQWOU

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 12, 2023 at 2:05 PM

    Let's be frank , Ryder is the most corrupt law enforcement officer on the planet. And Judge Sammut , we now have to wonder about him. He has issued stay away orders for 8 police officers that are scared of a camera. Why would our public servants be afraid of a camera. The only reason I can think of is that they are doing stuff they don't want recorded. Any public servant that is doing his best to serve the community honestly would have no problem with being recorded because he knows that he's not doing anything illegal. So now I'm wondering , with all the mud and slop that surrounds Patrick Ryder why would an honest judge throw his hat in the pig style with him? The only thing I can come up with , is the judge has something to hide. I know if I was a judge and I was clean of any wrong doing I wouldn't step in the mud with Ryder. I would stay as far from him as possible. This is my opinion and I just want everyone to know who and what you have running things in Nassau County. Everyone needs to keep an eye on the politicians in this county. With all the camera problems they are having , it seems to me there is alot of sneaky things going on there. If we don't have TRANSPARENCY IN GOVERNMENT IT BREEDS CORRUPTION.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 14, 2023 at 9:29 AM

      I agree. Stay away orders for law enforcement are a clear indicator of a tyrannical disregard for a peaceful citizen's rights. Obviously supporting intimidation tactics deployed by tax funded law enforcement employees.

      Delete

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