Madeline Singas refrains from addressing Democratic dinner

Some eyebrows were raised when District Attorney Madeline Singas was touted as an honoree on invitations, including her photo, in the run-up to last weekend’s Democratic committee dinner in Long Beach.

But after organizers decided that promoting her presence could “put her in a bad position,” they sought to dial it back, a party official said.

As it turned out, Singas did not speak at the function, where she dropped in but departed after the cocktail hour.

Specifically, the New York State District Attorneys’ Association has guidelines for prosecutors that call for limiting partisan promotions.

Part of those guidelines say: “While attending a political function, district attorneys or assistant district attorneys shall not speak at such functions; they shall not publicize their attendance at such functions; nor shall they act in a manner that can be interpreted as lending the prestige and weight of their office to the political party or function.”

“However this shall not prohibit normal political activity during the course of a campaign year.”

Plugged-in local politicos noted the guidelines on social media after receiving copies of the invitations, prompting Newsday to inquire about them earlier this month.

Several party and political staffers avoided comment when contacted.

Singas’ win in the special election last year to succeed Rep. Kathleen Rice (D-Garden City) in the key office marked a rare one in recent years for the county party, which holds no other countywide elected seats.

Speakers talked up Singas after she departed.

In addressing dinner guests, Robert Solomon, now chairman of the Long Beach Democratic Committee, noted that the GOP loser in the race, former Hempstead Supervisor Kate Murray, “soon landed a $150,000 job at the Nassau Community College, a college which has been in turmoil for years over allegations of political patronage and lack of transparency.”

Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul said: “Congratulations to our DA. What a tough woman she is. She is exactly the kind of person you want to be your district attorney.”

By Dan Janison

dan.janison@newsday.comDanJanison

Dan Janison is a member of the Newsday editorial board.