Suffolk County is suing its former police chief in order to recover the salary and benefits paid to him after he beat a handcuffed man who was in custody.
The Suffolk County Legislature voted unanimously to file suit against former police chief James Burke. The action uses the "faithless service doctrine,” a New York law that dates back to 1886. Republican legislator Robert Trotta proposed the measure. He said the county could recoup as much as $1.5 million.
“Chief of police makes $280,000 a year. That’s three years, so that’s 750 there. Plus benefits, probably another few hundred thousand. There’s sick days he got credit for. It’s approaching $1.5 million.”
$1.5 million is the same amount Burke’s victim got in compensation. Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone says he plans to sign the bill.
