Democratic lawmaker hires aide with GOP ties

Suffolk's new lawmaker Al Krupski (D-Cutchogue) raised eyebrows in his party by naming Catherine Stark, daughter of former Republican Riverhead Supervisor Jim Stark, as an $81,000-a-year legislative aide. She previously worked for Legis. Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) and was mentioned as a potential contender for the Assembly seat vacated by Dan Losquadro, now Brookhaven highway superintendent.

Sources say Marge Acevedo, Riverhead Democratic leader and an aide in Presiding Officer William Lindsay's office, privately criticized the hiring but Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer did nothing to block it.-- Rick Brand