Islip Town Fire Marshal Accepts Deal; Pleads Guilty To Coercion Charge

An Islip Town fire marshal charged with attempting to coerce four fire marshal applicants to decline the position plead not guilty to a coercion charge in court on Tuesday.

Holbrook resident Michael Allen, 41, who served as assistant chief fire marshal and West Islip resident John Carney, 54, who served as commissioner of public safety were both accused of bribe receiving, official misconduct and coercion, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney.

In September, both men plead not guilty after they were charged with four counts of third degree bribe receiving, four counts of official misconduct and eight counts of second degree coercion, according to the DA.

However during Allen's court appearance this week he plead guilty to the misdemeanor coercion charge, according to court records.

His plea was part of a deal which allows Allen to avoid jail time and leave him with no criminal record from this case but would still require him to complete 140 hours of community service at a local church, Newsday reports.

“A lot of factors went into this plea deal including certain health issues that Mr. Allen has," Supreme Court Justice Fernando Camacho told Newsday.

Allen is due back in court on September 13 for sentencing.

In April, Carney was found guilty on three misdemeanor coercion charges and acquitted of all other charges, according to court records.

He previously resigned from his position due to health issues. He is due back in court for sentencing on August 3.

Photo courtesy of Suffolk County DA