Savings from Suffolk layoffs come at cost

When Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone laid off 13 county attorneys last month, he said the move would free up $1.7 million so he could hire personnel needed for his new administration. However, there is a $225,332 cost that the new administration did not factor into its estimates.

The comptroller's office, responding to a Freedom of Information Law request, disclosed that's how much the laid-off lawyers will be getting in what is known among county workers as "scat pay," for unused sick, vacation and compensatory time, as well as past lag payrolls. Among those laid off, the lawyers owed the most were Cynthia Parry, who got $52,751, Brian Callahan, who received $39,270, and Edward Parker who was due $37,756.-- Rick Brand