Gilgo Beach LISK Serial Killer, Rex Heuermann, charged with 4 murders, July 2023 #10

[NoSpoonFeeding]

accusing Harrison of trifling violations that he didn't even commit

Where does it say that there weren't any violations? It says there will be no "further action" required.

I hope he sues them.
Something similar happened to a candidate in our area. He ran for mayor and the incumbent mayor's posse made a bunch of false allegations of illegal activity against him. He sued and won.

Nowhere does it say that Harrison didn't change leave days to sick days.
The county government I worked for would have fired someone for that. You own your vacation time and if some is on the books when you retire, you get 100% of it, sick time is owned by the county and you get only a percentage of a payout when you retire. That is an incentive not to call in sick unless you have to. However, there is a maximum number of days they will pay out on, So people try to change it to vacation pay to get more money.

I don't see anyone having accused Harrison of a crime, so what would the lawsuit be for and what is his loss? Especially since you are claiming that the "allegations" are false but that has not been stated anywhere. Saying someone violated a policy is hardly the basis for a lawsuit.

In my opinion, this was always a non-issue that is not uncommon event in government and the private sector and has nothing to do with LISK case. Harrison is a respected member of LE, his circumstances of leaving are the exact same for elections that happen all over this country when a new County Executive is put in office. There is nothing "suspicous" or unique about the revolving door of appointments and elections changing the leaders of county agencies in Suffolk County.

From the article:
"Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said his office has finished its investigation into allegations that Harrison changed his leave days to sick days to get a bigger payout when he left in December.
"We consulted with department heads from all applicable agencies, including the SCPD, and concluded that no further action was required," Tierney said in a statement."

 

[Forest_Wood]

In my opinion, this was always a non-issue that is not uncommon event in government and the private sector and has nothing to do with LISK case

Well, except for the fact that it was highly publicized by the same guy in charge of the LISK investigation. How often do these internal issues get top media coverage like that? I think it was a sneaky ploy used in an attempt to diminish his good character. But it backfired. MOO.

 

[CuriousCricket]

I hope he sues them.
Something similar happened to a candidate in our area. He ran for mayor and the incumbent mayor's posse made a bunch of false allegations of illegal activity against him. He sued and won.

I suspect Comm. Harrison has too many positive things going on in his life to bog himself down with the muck and mire that appears to be Suffolk County. Life is just too short.

 

[CuriousCricket]

"We consulted with department heads from all applicable agencies, including the SCPD, and concluded that no further action was required," Tierney said in a statement."

To me that reads that Harrison did exactly what everyone in the agencies and departments do: He managed his time off. If, perhaps, Suffolk County uses different practices from what Harrison was accustomed to in his long-term job, I suspect a simple "we don't do things that way here"; "Here is how we manage this" would have straightened things out -- and apparently did.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Well, except for the fact that it was highly publicized by the same guy in charge of the LISK investigation. How often do these internal issues get top media coverage like that? I think it was a sneaky ploy used in an attempt to diminish his good character. But it backfired. MOO.

Indeed, it backfired. Suffolk County and Tierney appear petty and spiteful.

 

[PreciousDust]

Indeed, it backfired. Suffolk County and Tierney appear petty and spiteful.

Agreed; maybe after Heuermann's case is disposed Harrison will have something to say about it.

 

[Betty P]

I don't see anyone having accused Harrison of a crime, so what would the lawsuit be for and what is his loss? Especially since you are claiming that the "allegations" are false but that has not been stated anywhere. Saying someone violated a policy is hardly the basis for a lawsuit.

Actually, they did accuse him very specifically of changing his leave days to sick days. They announced it while saying they were investigating to verify it, creating the basis for a lawsuit.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said his office has finished its investigation into allegations that Harrison changed his leave days to sick days to get a bigger payout

Suffolk County district attorney takes 'no further action' on police commissioner's timesheets

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office says no further action is necessary after its investigation into falsified timesheets from outgoing Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.

www.wshu.org

It's an old political trick that incumbents use against anyone who is a threat to their political system. It's all in clever wording of news releases. The victim ends up in a no-win situation trying to defend themselves against a false, negative media message. Really, the only way is to sue for damages and legal fees.

ETA: This negative, destructive political gamesmanship has NO place, JMO, in the midst of the critical investigation and prosecution of the heinous murders of nearly 8 innocent women and children. The community, the victims and their families deserve better. JMO

 

[Betty P]

I suspect Comm. Harrison has too many positive things going on in his life to bog himself down with the muck and mire that appears to be Suffolk County. Life is just too short.

Perhaps, but it should be done to address this problem and make sure other honest elected officials aren't subjected to the same malfeasance.

 

[CuriousCricket]

Actually, they did accuse him very specifically of changing his leave days to sick days. They announced it while saying they were investigating to verify it, creating the basis for a lawsuit.

Suffolk County district attorney takes 'no further action' on police commissioner's timesheets

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office says no further action is necessary after its investigation into falsified timesheets from outgoing Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison.

www.wshu.org

It's an old political trick that incumbents use against anyone who is a threat to their political system. It's all in clever wording of news releases. The victim ends up in a no-win situation trying to defend themselves against a false, negative media message. Really, the only way is to sue for damages and legal fees.

ETA: This negative, destructive political gamesmanship has NO place, JMO, in the midst of the critical investigation and prosecution of the heinous murders of nearly 8 innocent women and children. The community, the victims and their families deserve better. JMO

I agree with all that. Unfortunately, the way I've read the very recent election -- the people of Suffolk County are happy with the way things have always been.

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

Actually, they did accuse him very specifically of changing his leave days to sick days. They announced it while saying they were investigating to verify it, creating the basis for a lawsuit.

You gave an example of someone falsely accused of a crime suing someone.
Harrison was not accused of a crime, you can't sue someone because you did a policy violation and it was looked into. Nothing said Harrison didn't do exactly what was claimed. If someone "accused" him of being habitually tardy for work, and it wasn't pursued because he was retiring, would you suggest a lawsuit?
And in the future, I hope other government employees realize it is not worth money to fudge on their attendance records to get more vacation than sick leave payouts. Or should this policy be changed or ignored for everyone to do as they wish.
Edit to add, Harrison was not elected, he was appointed. Elected and appointed government employees all have different rules for the use and payout of vacation and sick leave.

 

[sds71]

Suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex A. Heuermann is expected in a Suffolk County courtroom next week as a special grand jury has been considering new charges related to a fourth set of remains found in the seaside community, sources told Newsday.

It was not clear why Heuermann is facing a new court appearance, though prosecutors have said in recent months that the special grand jury was only being asked to consider an indictment into the killing of Gilgo victim Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

Gilgo Beach killings: Serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann expected in court Tuesday, multiple sources say

Rex A. Heuermann, 60, has been charged in the killing of three women whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach in 2010.

www.newsday.com

 

[Betty P]

You gave an example of someone falsely accused of a crime suing someone.
Harrison was not accused of a crime, you can't sue someone because you did a policy violation and it was looked into. Nothing said Harrison didn't do exactly what was claimed. If someone "accused" him of being habitually tardy for work, and it wasn't pursued because he was retiring, would you suggest a lawsuit?
And in the future, I hope other government employees realize it is not worth money to fudge on their attendance records to get more vacation than sick leave payouts. Or should this policy be changed or ignored for everyone to do as they wish.
Edit to add, Harrison was not elected, he was appointed. Elected and appointed government employees all have different rules for the use and payout of vacation and sick leave.

You should read my post again. The accusation was first made by Suffolk Co. Its the second highlighted quote in my post.

Harrison should sue them so they’ll have an opportunity to defend themselves under oath.

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

You should read my post again. The accusation was first made by Suffolk Co. Its the second highlighted quote in my post.

Harrison should sue them so they’ll have an opportunity to defend themselves under oath.

Again, the claim that he violated a policy isn't false and you can't find anything that says it was.
Harrison wouldn't waste his time thinking about this incident. It's not significant, not related to the investigation, and not worth discussing. MOO

 

[CuriousCricket]

Again, the claim that he violated a policy isn't false and you can't find anything that says it was.
Harrison wouldn't waste his time thinking about this incident. It's not significant, not related to the investigation, and not worth discussing. MOO

Age is another issue. As a retiree, there are many, many things I still want to do and many others I would never waste my precious remaining time on. Life can be lived positively or embroiled in pettiness. My personal choice, of course, is not what everyone's would be.

Comm. Harrison, by the nature of his work, likely knows the value of running change through the court system. However, sometimes you just have to swat the gnats away and stay on your path.

 

[PreciousDust]

Again, the claim that he violated a policy isn't false and you can't find anything that says it was.

The opposite is also true, i.e. there's no evidence that he did violate a policy (he denies it), and you can't find anything that say he did. Even assuming that he moved some vacation days around, that wouldn't be a "story" that a political insider digs up through FOIL requests and then runs to the press about, that's just sleazy.

I hope other government employees realize it is not worth money to fudge on their attendance records to get more vacation than sick leave payouts.

Oh, sure, this pay "scandal" is a great way to reinforce good employee practices; let's make an example of the first successful Suffolk police commissioner in some time. Shameful.

Harrison wouldn't waste his time thinking about this incident. It's not significant, not related to the investigation, and not worth discussing.

I hope Harrison thinks plenty about how he was treated shabbily by the Suffolk old guard. It is significant, it's almost certainly related to the investigation, and Harrison will probably hold his tongue about it now solely to protect Heuermann's prosecution. Whatever the rift was that opened up between Tierney and Harrison, we'll learn about it someday.

 

[Vern]

Where does it say that there weren't any violations? It says there will be no "further action" required.

Nowhere does it say that Harrison didn't change leave days to sick days.
The county government I worked for would have fired someone for that. You own your vacation time and if some is on the books when you retire, you get 100% of it, sick time is owned by the county and you get only a percentage of a payout when you retire. That is an incentive not to call in sick unless you have to. However, there is a maximum number of days they will pay out on, So people try to change it to vacation pay to get more money.

I don't see anyone having accused Harrison of a crime, so what would the lawsuit be for and what is his loss? Especially since you are claiming that the "allegations" are false but that has not been stated anywhere. Saying someone violated a policy is hardly the basis for a lawsuit.

In my opinion, this was always a non-issue that is not uncommon event in government and the private sector and has nothing to do with LISK case. Harrison is a respected member of LE, his circumstances of leaving are the exact same for elections that happen all over this country when a new County Executive is put in office. There is nothing "suspicous" or unique about the revolving door of appointments and elections changing the leaders of county agencies in Suffolk County.

From the article:
"Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney said his office has finished its investigation into allegations that Harrison changed his leave days to sick days to get a bigger payout when he left in December.
"We consulted with department heads from all applicable agencies, including the SCPD, and concluded that no further action was required," Tierney said in a statement."

I don't know. I work for a level of government.

I was on paid 'annual' leave but became sick with COVID while 'on leave'. My 'annual leave' days were credited back and my files were switched to "sick leave" for the time period that I was ill. I'm military. Suspect many public servants of government are treated in same manner.

Nothing to fire anyone about there ... if one actually becomes sick while on leave.

 

[NoSpoonFeeding]

The opposite is also true, i.e. there's no evidence that he did violate a policy (he denies it), and you can't find anything that say he did. Even assuming that he moved some vacation days around, that wouldn't be a "story" that a political insider digs up through FOIL requests and then runs to the press about, that's just sleazy.

I wasn't looking to prove there was an enforceable policy violation, that's not relevant to my response to someone's post about a lawsuit. The burden of proof is on the person filing a lawsuit.
My post questioned a claim that there was a basis for a lawsuit, that Trotta "falsely accused" Harrison of a "violation" (not an accusation of a crime).
MOO but no attorney would recommend a lawsuit for someone saying you violated the use of sick leave/vacation pay, whether it just appeared that way (to Trotta) or in fact happened.

When suggesting that a lawsuit would have merit, it would be pretty critical to have proof that the claim of a policy violation was completely false, malicious, etc, even then there is no loss to Harrison.



From the article:
"Trotta is a former Suffolk County police detective, and has been outspoken against police corruption throughout his time in the legislature. He claimed Harrison took vacation days to watch his daughter play basketball, and later changed them to sick days.

Harrison has denied Trotta’s allegations, and said he did this after consulting with the county attorney."

Suffolk County DA Investigating Claims Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison Falsified Timesheets

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney is investigating allegations that Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison — who is set to resign this month — changed vacation days to sick days on previously filed timesheets.

www.longislandpress.com

 

[Betty P]

Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann to face additional murder charge in death of 4th woman: source

Alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann returns to court Tuesday on Long Island where he is expected to be charged in the death of a fourth woman whose remains were found in a marshy spot near Gilgo Beach, multiple sources told ABC News.

abc7ny.com

The local ABC affiliate says 3 sources have told them that Rex H will be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes on Tuesday.

Maureen is the victim whose body was partially bound by the belt with the distinctive gold fastener with the initials WH (or HW).

 

[Ruminations]

I agree with all that. Unfortunately, the way I've read the very recent election -- the people of Suffolk County are happy with the way things have always been.

If the people were so happy, why all the political dirty tricks?

I would hazard this guess: People want to be able to trust their government so much that corrupt officials are forced to fabricate distractions in order to stay in power. Otherwise, they would lose power.

MOO

 

[iamshadow21]

Gilgo Beach suspect Rex Heuermann to face additional murder charge in death of 4th woman: source

Alleged serial killer Rex Heuermann returns to court Tuesday on Long Island where he is expected to be charged in the death of a fourth woman whose remains were found in a marshy spot near Gilgo Beach, multiple sources told ABC News.

abc7ny.com

The local ABC affiliate says 3 sources have told them that Rex H will be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes on Tuesday.

Maureen is the victim whose body was partially bound by the belt with the distinctive gold fastener with the initials WH (or HW).

Finally! So happy to hear this. She's waited so long.