Spota candidacy faces challenges

Suffolk resident Peter Nichols' lawyer Bruce Plesser has filed papers to appeal a court decision allowing District Attorney Thomas Spota to seek a fourth term in November -- a ruling that also denied Nichols' standing to intervene in the case. Tuesday, Suffolk Legis. Rick Montano (D-Brentwood) said he'll seek a vote on a motion that would direct special counsel Stuart Besen to appeal the same decision, by state Supreme Court Justice Ralph Gazzillo, which struck down the 12-year term limit for district attorney and two other offices. On Monday, Suffolk Republicans are scheduled to screen district attorney candidates. Spota, a Democrat, is expected to appear, as are Republicans William Ferris and Ray Perini. -- Rick Brand