Suffolk exec candidate O'Connor slams Bellone top-cop pick
The controversy surrounding Suffolk Chief of Department James Burke (foreground) has made its way into the county executive election. With Burke on May 31, 2012 is Suffolk Police Commissioner Edward Webber. Credit: Howard Schnapp
Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone's pick for chief of the police department is being attacked by Republican Suffolk County Executive candidate James O'Connor.
"Bellone's hand-picked top cop was found to have had a relationship with a convicted felon known to be engaged in possession and sale of illegal drugs, larceny, and prostitution," says an O'Connor posting on Facebook, which links to an October 2013 pix11.com story about James Burke, who is chief of department.
A 1995 internal affairs report said Burke as a sergeant twice lost his service weapon and had a relationship with a woman with a criminal past. Spokesmen for Bellone and the police did not respond to requests for comment.
