| Yesterday, Phillip highlighted Dennis Delano and his suspension from the Buffalo Police Department. There appears to be another (and possibly bigger) story coming out of that suspension. The question is this: Is Dennis Delano in violation of the Hatch Act?
The Hatch Act, as it applies to police officers, prohibits municipal employees (police officers in this instance) from running for partisan office. There are some things, as public employees, that police officers can do. They can even run for non-partisan office but it is against the Hatch Act to run for partisan office. A state senate election pitting Delano, a Republican, against the Democratic incumbent Bill Stachowski would be a partisan election.
How does this apply to Delano? He is suspended from the Buffalo Police with pay. He has been paid throughout his suspension from the force pending a hearing. That hearing has been delayed and pushed back until after the election.
Here is more on this from Stachowski's campaign:
Under the Hatch Act anyone paid with federal dollars must seek an advisory opinion and waiver from the U.S. Office of the Special Counsel before launching a political candidacy.
"Has Dennis spoken with legal advisors who have previously advised him on this issue? If so, whom? Does he have a written advisory or waiver from the Special Counsel? Do his actions place any liability on the City of Buffalo or the local police?" Calhoun demanded. "Dennis's actions could have far-reaching consequences. Not knowing the Hatch Act, the Taylor Law and other important laws has left us wondering what he actually does know."
It was reported October 26th by Channel 7 News that since being suspended in February, Dennis Delano has continued to collect his salary. About $41, 297 has been paid to Delano in that time. Since dedicating himself to his Republican candidacy, Delano has pocketed an additional $26,000, all of which comes at the expense of taxpayers. Channel 7 also noted that Delano has purposefully prolonged his suspension, delaying the hearing into his alleged misconduct until after the election.
"Talk about the sweet life, the guy is getting paid to campaign. Long Islander Dean Skelos has lined his pockets and taxpayers are footing his bills," said Calhoun. "No wonder this guy can't find the time to talk to voters, he's too busy finding ways to skirt the law. As it turns out ignorance is bliss, and profitable!"
It appears to me that Delano is breaking the law (ironic, isn't it?) just by running for state senate.
But this raises other questions: Would Delano still take his police salary (while on suspension or not) if elected to the New York State Senate? I'm sure he would. That shouldn't sit well with the taxpayers.
It looks like Delano didn't have to talk to us after all about the issues. With his silence, we have still been able to find out interesting and necessary information about him that people should know.
ON THE WEB:
Bill Stachowski's ActBlue Page |
