Suffolk County Democrats finally retire debt

The Suffolk Democratic Committee is finally out of debt.

The party retired yearlong loans totaling $125,000 as of Oct. 9 after the most recent county Democratic dinner headlined by Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

The party repaid $25,000 to attorney John Braslow, the former Babylon Town Democratic chairman, and $50,000 to Andrea Wexler, wife of William Wexler, who is counsel to both the Suffolk and Babylon Industrial Development Agencies. Braslow and William Wexler share law offices with Suffolk Democratic chairman and Babylon Supervisor Richard Schaffer in North Babylon.

The party also repaid $50,000 to attorney Anthony LaPinta of West Islip, law counsel to the county Democratic Committee.

Schaffer, who long has been at odds with Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, said he borrowed the money for county legislative races.

Meanwhile, party campaign reports also show Schaffer has gone all in on Suffolk Legis. Monica Martinez's campaign for State Senate.

In filings made last month, Suffolk Democrats said they had spent $111,145 on the Brentwood lawmaker’s bid for the seat left open by  Republican Tom Croci, who resigned to return to  active Navy service. Only Democratic Surrogate Judge candidate Theresa Whelan  has gotten more, $154,000. Martinez faces GOP Assemb. Dean Murray in the election Tuesday.

Rick Brand