Sini’s pick for top aide would need waiver to get full pay
Acting Suffolk County Police Commissioner Timothy Sini leaves the Suffolk County Legislature chamber after testifying before the legislature's public safety committee which was considering his nomination as permanent police commissioner during a meeting in Smithtown on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2016. Committee members later voted 5-1 to send SiniÕs nomination to the full legislature for a final vote next week. Credit: Newsday / John Paraskevas
Suffolk’s police commissioner-in-waiting Tim Sini calls the man he wants as his top aide, John Berry, “a gift from heaven.”
But County Executive Steve Bellone’s administration says it will seek a state waiver so Barry, 46, can collect both his $86,000-a-year New York City Police Department pension and his full $150,000 salary as deputy commissioner in Suffolk.
Barry, who was the lead federal investigator in last year’s successful corruption prosecution of former Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, currently collects both a state pension from his 20 years with the NYPD and his $144,000-a-year federal salary.
On leave from his federal job, Sini said he is volunteering his services “free of charge” for now.
Without a waiver, Barry would be entitled to earn a maximum $3,000 a year in county pay while receiving a state pension until he reaches 65.
Deputy County Executive Jon Schneider said that a waiver will be sought after Sini leaves his current post as deputy commissioner, opening the job for Barry.
Sini’s appointment is scheduled for a confirmation vote at the county legislature tomorrow.
— Rick Brand
and David M. Schwartz
David Schwartz covers environmental issues. A native Long Islander, he's worked at Newsday since 2013.
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