Southold Supervisor Says Police Officer Garrett Lake Was Fired 'Solely Because of His Job Performance'

SOUTHOLD, NY — Supervisor Scott Russell spoke out publicly for the first time Tuesday about the firing of Southold Town Police Officer Garrett Lake.

Russell responded to members of a heated public who questioned angrily why the police officer, who had won Suffolk County's Top DWI Cop award, had been let go.

"Mr. Lake was let go solely because of his job performance," Russell said. "Not only do I look forward to having the facts presented in court — I can’t wait. I am quite sure not only will the public understand the decision we made, they will know it was the right one."

Tensions escalated when Cutchogue resident Nancy Sawastynowicz came to the podium to address the board and discuss Lake, who, she said, had worked for the town for 17 and half months, "doing a great job for the town. And how do you reward him? By firing him."

Lake, she said, is "an outstanding police officer who had to deal with two horrific car accidents. He did his job during difficult arrests and did the right thing. So he ruffled some good ole' boy Republicans. I know how this works. The town board got the call to get rid of him."

Last month, Lake, who was named one of the county's Top Cops for his number of DWI arrests in May and fired just over two weeks later, commenced a lawsuit against Southold Town and stated he believes the firing was politically motivated.

Lake, who was fired on May 19, four days before the end of his probationary period, is represented by attorney Eric Bressler of Mattituck's Wickham, Bressler and Geasa, PC; he filed a notice of petition on June 15 with the New York State Supreme Court.

The petition states that the termination was "in bad faith" and unrelated to his work performance, and asks that Lake be reinstated with back pay.

According to the petition, the Town of Southold "bowed to political pressure" applied by the Jamesport Fire Department, "incensed by the proper arrest of Lake" of David J. McKillop, 55, of Aquebogue, a Jamesport Assistant Fire Chief who was arrested after he allegedly drove drunk and crashed his fire department vehicle into Southold street signs and then fled the scene before being arrested in Mattituck; McKillop pleaded not guilty at his arraignment.

Lake was also at the scene of last July's fatal limo crash in Cutchogue, where four young women died.

The petition also states that John Helf, Sr., the vice president of the Southold Town GOP, was at the scene of the limo crash in Cutchogue.

Lake arrested the driver of the pickup, Steve Romeo, and charged him with DWI.

"Apparently, Mr. Helf was well known to and friendly with Mr. Romeo and Mr. Helf attempted to become involved in Lake's investigation but Lake did not permit such involvement," the petition reads. "Mr. Helf can be seen in the video memorializing the events at the scene. As a result of the arrest of Mr. Romeo at the scene, Lake was informed by a former Town Board member that Mr. Helf stated at Republican events that Lake would lose his job."

Sawastynowicz was livid over the firing. "I am disgusted by the actions of the town board. How would you feel if he was your son, would you get rid of him for doing something right and honest? I don't know how you can sleep at night. You, the town board, did the wrong thing."

Russell said Lake was dismissed for his job performance alone. He said Lake won one award and there were "many facets," that came into play. Lake, the supervisor said, was "made aware of our expectations and was asked to make corrective actions. He didn't."

Russell added that he does not know McKillop, the Jamesport Fire Chief or commissioners. "I've never heard of him and I could care less about him," Russell said.

Sawastynowicz said she had "good sources" who had spoken to her about Lake.

"Name your sources," Southold Town Councilman Bob Ghosio said.

She did not.

Cutchogue resident Benja Schwartz asked Russell if he should be speaking publicly about a matter in litigation.

"He disclosed it publicly and he made it fair game," Russell said. The supervisor added that he was limiting his comments and he was waiting for the court process so that the public could understand all the facts.

Schwartz asked why Lake was fired by a number, not a name, and he said he had been "privy" to information that said Lake had been fired without a reason. "If you are going to tell me a reason was provided, that would be very surprising," he said. "He was fired without any reason given. That makes people wonder why."

Russell said when someone is dismissed from service they are often referred to by number in the interest of discretion; it is their decision to reveal publicly that they'd been let go. "I don't think it serves their interest to start blurting names out," Russell said.

It's the first time the questions have been raised in a public forum. Last month, when asked about Lake's lawsuit, Russell responded, "His claims have no basis."

On Tuesday, the supervisor elaborated: "Generally, this is the part where the public official says, 'I look forward to the day in court where the facts come out. I can't wait until that happens so the public will understand what we've done and recognize what we've done is the right decision."

Bressler did not immediately return a request for comment.