County Executive Bellone responds to bombshell dropped at ex-DA's trial

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone responded Friday to the bombshell testimony dropped at the obstruction of justice trial of former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota and his top aide Christopher McPartland.

News 12 Staff

Nov 22, 2019, 11:21 PM

Updated 1,628 days ago

Share:

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone responded Friday to the bombshell testimony dropped at the obstruction of justice trial of former Suffolk District Attorney Thomas Spota and his top aide Christopher McPartland.
Retired detective Anthony Leto testified that former police chief James Burke ordered members of the Criminal Intelligence Unit to spy on Bellone in 2012 while providing him with security. One of those officers, Kenneth Bombace, even ran the New York City Marathon alongside Bellone in 2014.
"It doesn't surprise me this kind of surveillance activity was occurring, as disturbing as it is," says Bellone. "They used their trust in law enforcement officers to be able to engage in their corrupt activities."
Both Spota and McPartland are accused of covering up Burke's 2012 beating of suspect Christopher Loeb.
The jury this week also heard testimony and saw pictures of pornography, sex toys, police beatings and learned about a contractor with the DA's office who followed Burke's orders and put a GPS tracking device on a deputy police commissioner's car.
Spota and McPartland maintain their innocence and say they did not know Burke had assaulted Loeb. Burke previously pleaded guilty and served federal time.
There will only be two days of testimony next week before the jury goes on break for Thanksgiving.


More from News 12
2:09
Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

Exclusive look at field and stadium built for Cricket World Cup at Eisenhower Park

2:17
STORM WATCH: Thunderstorms possible Wednesday morning on LI

STORM WATCH: Thunderstorms possible Wednesday morning on LI

Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

Family raises money to reunite Farmingdale HS sweethearts killed in Washington accident

0:26
Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

Lindenhurst man sentenced to up to 40 years behind bars for burning women with clothing iron

1:47
Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

Man accused of killing NYPD detective from Massapequa Park indicted on murder charges

0:54
SBU faculty senate votes to demand that all charges be dropped for 29 arrested at protest

SBU faculty senate votes to demand that all charges be dropped for 29 arrested at protest

1:39
Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

Bee on the lookout: Bees are all the buzz at Shoreham-Wading River HS

0:44
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine addresses public safety, inflation in State of the County

2:27
Huntington Town Board hosting second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

Huntington Town Board hosting second public hearing on walkable downtown in Melville

1:38
Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

Sand delivered to Tobay Beach as crews work on opening access to the beach

2:03
Made on Long Island: Roxy’s Ice Cream Truck

Made on Long Island: Roxy’s Ice Cream Truck

1:29
Police identify woman killed in Centereach hit-and-run

Police identify woman killed in Centereach hit-and-run

3:07
LI man mistakenly declared dead by Social Security, leading to severe consequences

LI man mistakenly declared dead by Social Security, leading to severe consequences

1:54
Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

Nassau police arrest accused jewelry thief wanted across the world

1:41
$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

$400 million boost in federal funds coming for security at places of worship

2:06
’Survivor’ exhibit highlights 18 local Holocaust survivors

’Survivor’ exhibit highlights 18 local Holocaust survivors

0:22
Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

Police: Driver wanted in fatal New Cassel hit-and-run

0:53
Glen Cove Hospital holds clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

Glen Cove Hospital holds clap-in for nurses to kick off National Nurses Week

2:23
Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Main Street Long Island: Showcasing the best of Massapequa Park

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos

Long Island National Teacher Appreciation Week Photos