High-ranking Suffolk sheriff's official quits during probe over 'questionable incident'

A top Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department official has resigned amid an investigation over claims that he gave a recruit an unfair advantage during the physical fitness portion of the correction officers entrance exam, department officials said.

Undersheriff Michael Catuosco, who joined the department in 2019 after previously serving as a warden on New York City’s Rikers Island, will officially leave his post on Sept. 2, according to Vicki DiStefano, a spokeswoman for Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr.

The incident involved an applicant during a department entrance exam agility test in late July, she said.

"A questionable incident came to our attention last week and we took immediate action and began a formal investigation," DiStefano said in a statement. "Undersheriff Catuosco voluntarily submitted his resignation prior to the conclusion of the investigation.

"The Sheriff’s Office does not tolerate unfair treatment amongst our recruits or staff."

DiStefano declined to give further details on the investigation as it is ongoing. 

Investigators learned about the incident after a correction officer reported it, said Lou Viscusi, president of the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association union. Viscusi commended the union member for being brave enough to notify his superiors of potential wrongdoing.

"Throughout the process, my members displayed the highest degree of professionalism and integrity," he said. "When an attempt was made to compromise those values, it was brought forward, reported to the sheriff, who then took immediate corrective action."

The physical fitness portion of the exam requires a man in his 20s to perform 38 situps, 29 pushups and to run 1½ miles in 12 minutes and 38 seconds. Requirements differ by age and gender. It is not clear during which portion of the fitness test the recruit may have been given an advantage. 

DiStefano said Catuosco was stripped of his duties as the department's training bureau head during the investigation. DiStefano declined to identify the recruit. It is not clear if that person will move forward in the hiring process.

It is unclear if Catuosco, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, had violated any guidelines since his resignation took place during the course of the investigation.

Suffolk County correction officers monitor inmates in the county jails. They earn a $49,721 starting salary, which increases to $124,235 after 12 years, and receive full county benefits. Successful applicants must complete a written exam, medical evaluation, psychological evaluation and physical fitness test.

Catuosco earned a $170,091.97 salary in 2023 and also obtained a state waiver to receive a pension from his years in New York City, although the pension amount was not immediately available.

He joined the department in 2019 as a deputy undersheriff and was promoted to undersheriff earlier this year. In that role he oversaw Toulon’s performance management initiative, where he analyzed department metrics surrounding accountability, according to the department website. He also oversaw the firearms unit, community relations unit and led the creation of the wellness unit in 2022.

By Vera Chinese

vera.chinese@newsday.com@VeraChinese

Vera Chinese 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.