Republican aide lands on Steve Bellone’s payroll

Tom Vaughn, who in the past year has bounced from a $116,000-a-year job as Suffolk County executive assistant to a $123,000-a-year commissioner-in-waiting at the parks department and to a $121,000-a-year post as deputy public works commissioner, is back on the 12th floor of the Dennison Building in Hauppauge.

Vaughn, a Republican and a 16-year county aide, returned to the county executive’s office late last month after a spate of departures by aides to County Executive Steve Bellone including Jon Schneider, Lisa Santeramo, Luis Montes and Ryan McGarry.

Jason Elan, Bellone’s spokesman, said Vaughn has been temporarily reassigned to the county executive’s office with no increase in pay, while the administration looks to fill several vacancies.

Elan declined to comment on whether Vaughn has applied or is under consideration to return to the county executive office permanently.

Bellone’s latest hire, former North Hempstead supervisor Jon Kaiman, is filling in as Montes’ replacement as the county’s chief Albany lobbyist. Kaiman also is heading the county initiative to merge services with other local governments.