Hicksville clinic CEO files complaint against Legis. Robert Trotta's surprise visit

The CEO of a Long Island nonprofit filed a complaint to the state after a Suffolk County lawmaker visited a Hicksville addiction treatment clinic and allegedly introduced himself simply as a "politician," a move the CEO said amounted to bullying.

Family & Children’s Association CEO Jeffrey Reynolds accused Suffolk County Legis. Rob Trotta (R-Fort Salonga) of disrupting the clinic’s operations and ignoring patients’ right to privacy. Trotta — whose visit was captured on video — has denied the allegations claiming he was performing his "due diligence" in researching the organization which receives public money. Critics say the visit amounts to overreach.

The clinic offers both medication assistant treatment and talk therapy to those with alcohol, drug and gambling addiction issues, Reynolds said. It has served 414 people this year and is funded through insurance billing and state money.

"Protecting our clients and staff is our first priority and we are appalled by Mr. Trotta's unannounced, combative visit," Reynolds said in a statement. "Reasonable people can disagree on policy proposals, but this crosses a line and is bullying, plain and simple."

Trotta and Reynolds sparred during a legislative committee meeting last month with Trotta critical of Reynolds’ compensation package, which was $391,167 in 2022 as he managed a $21.2 million budget that year, according to FCA’s publicly available 990 tax form.

"While I've gotten used to Mr. Trotta's verbal taunts, neither Long Islanders struggling with a mental health condition nor our staff who are working hard to help them should have to deal with his disrespectful behavior," Reynolds said.

Reynolds alerted the state Office of Addiction Services and Supports of the incident in a letter to its general counsel Trisha Allen on Thursday.

OASAS spokesman Evan Frost said the agency has received the complaint and is discussing it with FCA.

"Our mission remains to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals who access our services in New York State, and to support our providers who deliver these important, lifesaving services," he said.

Trotta and Legis. Trish Bergin (R-East Islip) have sponsored a county bill capping executive pay at charitable organizations contracted with the county, contending it would provide legislative oversight at those agencies.

Reynolds and representatives from two dozen other nonprofits and their supporters publicly testified the bill is a government overreach and that the salaries are aligned with the industry average.

Video of Tuesday’s visit provided by FCA shows Trotta wearing cargo shorts and a T-shirt entering the facility shortly after noon and speaking with staff. Trotta, entering with his hands in his pockets, was in the clinic’s waiting room for a few minutes and did not appear to interact with any patients. Both Trotta and Reynolds said he introduced himself as a government official, asked about operations and made comments about Reynolds’ salary before leaving.

Trotta said he visited the facility, which is not in Suffolk County and does not receive Suffolk money, because he heard it serves few people.

"He’s concerned that someone's actually looking behind the curtain on what he is making $400,000 a year for," Trotta said. "If more politicians did what I’m doing, maybe your taxes would be a little bit lower."

Trotta said he will "100%" continue to visit other nonprofits to observe their operations.

Legislative Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) said he has been informed of the incident and is gathering more information.

Legis. Rebecca Sanin (D-Huntington Station), who opposes the bill, said Trotta’s actions were a step too far and that the presence of a government official at an addiction treatment facility could deter those in the recovery process.

"When a sitting legislator barges into a drug treatment facility, intimidating staff and disrupting the safe space for patients accessing care, we’ve jumped the shark from typical political games to doing real harm to our most vulnerable residents," Sanin said.

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese covers Suffolk County government and politics. She joined Newsday in 2017 after working as an editor for the East End lifestyle publication northforker and a general assignment reporter for the New York Daily News.