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Foley attacked for taking contributions from felon

Newsday
By Erik German
9/26/07

Brookhaven Republicans attacked Democratic Supervisor Brian Foley Wednesday for accepting campaign contributions from a development firm owned by a convicted felon looking to build in the town.

Gerald Monter's Westbury-based company, The Holiday Organization, made $4,750 in legal contributions to Foley this year, Suffolk County records show, placing it in the top five of the supervisor's corporate donors. And the firm has arranged to raise more.

Monter sent out invitations this week to a $350-per-plate breakfast for Foley, scheduled next Thursday at The Hamlet Golf and Country Club in Commack, a facility Monter's firm built.

In 1988, the wealthy Manhasset developer was convicted of bribery for paying his chauffeur $5,000 to keep his name out of a murder investigation. Prosecutors accused Monter of ordering his chauffeur to break the kneecaps of a construction foreman after the man quit his job and made threats against Monter. The chauffeur hired someone to shoot the foreman in the legs, but the hired man instead killed the foreman. The chauffeur pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Monter served 18 months of a 11/2 to 41/2-year prison sentence.

"I think Brookhaven voters will be very troubled to learn about Brian Foley's dirty little secret," said Frank Tassone, spokesman for Republican supervisor candidate Robert DiCarlo. "This is yet another example of the unethical behavior that has plagued Town Hall under the Foley administration's watch."

Town Democratic spokeswoman Anna Deknatel said the supervisor "keeps a strict separation between political fundraising and governing" and noted that Monter has given to candidates of both parties in the past five years.

"Brian Foley doesn't support his contributor's agendas, they support his," she said. "I am afraid we will see more desperate, flailing charges as the DiCarlo campaign continues to sputter."

Monter said his past has nothing to do with his work in Brookhaven now, or with his support for Foley. "I served my time, I think I've paid my debt to society," Monter said. "I don't think it has to be thrown in my face."

Monter said he hopes history remembers him for philanthropy, citing $10 million he gave to build the Monter Cancer Center for North Shore University Hospital in Lake Success.

Monter said he does not expect favorable treatment in exchange for his campaign contributions, which he said he makes because "it's good practice for a businessman or builder to at least have a supervisor think good things about him."

Monter wants to build a 182-home subdivision, slated to occupy what is now The Links at Shirley golf course, which would require town approval. The proposal has raised hackles among members of the William Floyd school board who, according to July 31 meeting minutes, objected to "increased student enrollment and its impact on the taxpayer, increased traffic congestion ... and loss of recreational space."