A rendering shows a nighttime view of an arena complex...

A rendering shows a nighttime view of an arena complex proposed by Melville developer Jones Lang LaSalle for a 40-acre property in Ronkonkoma. Jones Lang LaSalle is one of four companies vying to be named the site’s master developer. Credit: Ronkonkoma Vision Project LLC

Suffolk Democratic County Executive Steve Bellone is embroiled in a new battle with Republican Comptroller John Kennedy over his subpoena to get audit data on a proposed $1.1 billion sports arena and convention center in Ronkonkoma.

County attorneys have moved to quash the comptroller’s subpoena and both sides are set to appear in state Supreme Court in Riverhead Tuesday morning to argue the issue after appearing before Justice Joseph Pastoressa Friday.

Kennedy said he started a performance audit in October on the arena project, which is still in the planning stages, but the Bellone administration only provided his office with about 50 percent of the material sought, treating it as a freedom of information request.

Kennedy responded that the material was for an audit and when no more information was forthcoming, he issued a subpoena last month to force production of the records.

“I think its reflective of a posture of trying to obstruct at any cost,” Kennedy said. “They don’t want anyone looking at what they are doing. They seem to be willing to go to any length to prevent scrutiny and oversight.”

Jason Elan, Bellone’s spokesman, accused Kennedy of “abusing the authority of his office by attempting to audit a process that has no fiscal impact on the county. If Mr. Kennedy wants to be involved in the RFQ [request for qualifications] process he should run for county executive.”

The latest battle surfaced as Kennedy weighs whether to challenge Bellone, who is seeking his third term as county executive in November. Kennedy late last week said he expects to make a decision in 10 days. Bellone last year also gave $44,000 to Democratic Southampton Supervisor Jay Schneiderman in a bid to unseat Kennedy, but he lost by a narrow 3,700 votes.

Elan also criticized Kennedy’s remarks made last fall that labeled the process for the selection of a developer for Ronkonkoma project as “problematic.” Elan called Kennedy’s statement “totally unprofessional,” saying it “shows he is more interested in grabbing a headline than doing a professional audit.”

Last year, the Bellone administration appealed an earlier court ruling that upheld Kennedy’s right to conduct an audit during the process to replace beach concessionaire Beach Hut, which paid $1.13 million in fines and penalties for shortchanging the county.

Kennedy said the Bellone aides are also dragging their feet in providing data on two other audits — one involving the Traffic and Parking Violations Agency and another reviewing capital project payments.

The Bellone administration last April chose a Chicago developer, Jones Lang LaSalle, as the master developer for a project that would turn a 40-acre parking lot at the Ronkonkoma train station into a sprawling complex featuring a 17,500 arena, hotel and medical and research facilities.

The county legislature voted in June to give the developer eight months to assess the project’s financial feasible and deal with unanswered questions on traffic congestion, sewage issues and concern that the site might not be able to attract a major league hockey team.

Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Ed Murray, Jonathan Singh

'I had to keep my mouth shut'  Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports. Credit: Ed Murray, Jonathan Singh

'I had to keep my mouth shut'  Ronnie Tanner, a horse jockey in the '60s and '70s, and Kendrick Carmouche, a current jockey, spoke about the racism Black jockeys have faced. NewsdayTV's Jamie Stuart reports.

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