Suffolk union leader-elect accuses incumbent

Dan Farrell, president-elect of Suffolk's Association of Municipal Employees, accused incumbent Cheryl Felice of trying to use union campaign contributions to land a new job after she leaves office July 1. "Shame on Mr. Farrell," replied Felice, saying he's "trying to pull partisan politics after we all agreed to work together to save jobs."

Farrell said Felice got the union's political action committee to authorize $15,000 to the Suffolk Democratic Committee a day after the Democratic-led legislature approved 315 layoffs. Three days later, he said, he complained to the union board of directors, and Felice rescinded it. Also citing $10,000 contributions to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, Farrell said: "She's looking to gain a position or job somewhere." Felice said the donations were for events the union attended before, and she agreed funds to county Democrats should be withheld given layoffs.-- Rick Brand