Suffolk IDA again holds job open for Stricoff

The Suffolk County Industrial Development Agency is again keeping open its job of executive director for the embattled Robert Stricoff -- at least for now.

The agency's board of directors Thursday unanimously approved a resolution extending until its Nov. 20 meeting the time that Stricoff has to assume his duties. The vote came after a 43-minute closed-door discussion. Last month a similar resolution with no deadline was adopted.

In July, Stricoff was hired for the $155,000-a-year post after serving as chief executive of the Babylon Town Industrial Development Agency. Days before he was to join the county IDA last month, an audit by the Babylon Town Democratic Committee showed that Stricoff may have been paid as much as $125,000 in unauthorized salary increases and expenses as party leader. Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota is investigating.

Stricoff, a close friend of Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, has resigned his Babylon political and IDA jobs.

Joanne Minieri, chairwoman of the county IDA, said Thursday's resolution was not done at Stricoff's behest. She said, "Our actions will be informed by the outcome of the investigation."