County GOP lawmakers want White House to deny Ex-Suffolk DA Tom Spota's pardon request

Republican lawmakers in Suffolk County are urging President Donald Trump to deny clemency to former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota and his top aide, arguing their actions were a “breach of public trust” that took years to rebuild.

Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holtsville) and nine fellow legislators in the GOP caucus sent the letter Thursday to Trump in response to Newsday’s reporting this week that revealed Spota and Christopher McPartland, the former head of the Suffolk DA's anti-corruption bureau, are petitioning the Department of Justice’s Office of the Pardon for clemency.

The letter says rebuilding trust “required sustained effort from public servants and the community alike,” according to the letter shared with Newsday. Granting clemency would risk an impression that “those in positions of power are held to a different standard when they abuse the public’s confidence,” the letter continues.

Spota, an elected Democrat who spent 16 years as Suffolk’s top prosecutor, and McPartland were each sentenced to 5 years in prison after a federal jury in 2019 convicted them of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and other charges related to the cover-up of the 2012 beating of Christopher Loeb.

Both have since been released from prison. Spota, 84, of Mount Sinai, and McPartland, 60, of Northport, could not immediately be reached for comment and have not explained why they are seeking clemency.

“The people of Suffolk County deserve to know that everyone is accountable under the law, regardless of title or influence,” the letter states. “That principle remains fundamental to maintaining confidence in our public institutions.”

In an interview with Newsday, Piccirillo said he believes  a pardon would “undo all the work that we’ve been doing the last several years to make sure that the public regains its trust in our governmental institutions.”

Piccirillo said he did not consult the Democratic caucus before sending the letter, saying they had their opportunity while in power when the scandal unfolded. He said the Democrats at the time “didn’t really make any public statements whatsoever about either of these two.”

In 2016, however, then-County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, called on Spota to resign at a news conference as a federal investigation was underway. 

“I think it’s my duty as the leader of the legislature to make sure the public knows where we stand,” Piccirillo said.

Michael Madia, communications director for Minority Leader Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), confirmed the caucus was not consulted and said Richberg learned about the letter on social media. He said Richberg is not in favor of the pardons.

Legis. Leslie Kennedy (R-Nesconset) was the only GOP legislator who did not sign the letter. Piccirillo said Kennedy was at an event and couldn’t be reached in time to add her signature.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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