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DA Candidate Ray Tierney Announces He Will Not Be Disbanding The Conviction Integrity Unit

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“I would like to make it very clear that I will NOT be disbanding the Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU).

My opponent has made claims that I am dismantling both the Conviction Integrity Unit and the Public Integrity Unit in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office. While my intention is to revamp each and every unit in the District Attorney’s office due to the current administration’s failure of leadership, I will not be disbanding either of those two units, contrary to the false information put out by my opponent.

In fact, my plan is to make the CIU stronger and more efficient in protecting those wrongly convicted.”

DA Candidate Ray Tierney Reveals That Current DA Tim Sini Has Zero Gang Murder Convictions Of MS -13 Members Related To Gang Murders That Were Prosecuted As Part Of His Gang Takedowns

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Suffolk County District Attorney candidate and former Federal Prosecutor Ray Tierney revealed on Wednesday shocking information showing how current District Attorney Tim Sini’s gross incompetence and failure to act as a District Attorney has resulted in dangerous living conditions for Suffolk County Residents. Tierney today revealed that Sini’s gang prosecutions of the notorious MS-13 street gang have resulted in exactly ZERO gang murder convictions of MS-13 gang members.

Tierney explained today that, since Sini was sworn into office as District Attorney on January 2, 2018, he has put out 10 press releases announcing the indictments of 108 MS-13 gang members, but after those initial announcements, there have been relatively few releases, statements, or commentary of any kind on the final disposition of these MS-13 gang cases, with the DA’s Office going so far as to seal sentencing information and seek to impose gag orders on the defense attorneys so no such sentencing information can get released to the public. Court documents reveal that the gang members have NOT been convicted of gang murder.

“Today, I pose a simple question. Since taking office, Tim Sini has held numerous press events self-anointing himself as the man who took down MS-13. What does he base this statement on? That he decimated MS-13. Tim Sini has claimed that he has arrested 300 MS-13 members since taking office. but he never gives any specifics. How many of these cold-blooded murderers have been convicted of gang murder and what were their sentences?” asked Tierney.

“I believe that there is very little substance behind the big words as the District Attorney has allowed these violent criminals to plea bargain to lesser crimes with lenient sentences under seal so they are soon out on our streets again. This is absolutely disgraceful! When I am elected your District Attorney, I will prosecute MS-13 members to the fullest extent of the law, as I have many times in the past. Tim Sini is satisfied with having MS-13 thugs spend months in jail. I will put them there for decades,” concluded Tierney, who has personally investigated and prosecuted hundreds of MS-13 members for gang murders involving approximately 50 separate victims on Long Island.

A video from Wednesday’s press conference can be found here.

 

District Attorney Candidate Ray Tierney Announces That Tim Sini Failed To Indict Over 100 Gun Crimes

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Suffolk County District Attorney candidate and former Federal Prosecutor Ray Tierney today revealed shocking information showing how current District Attorney Tim Sini’s gross incompetence and failure to act as a District Attorney has resulted in less security for all Suffolk County Residents. Tierney discussed Sini’s refusal to indict over 100 gun crimes and also his failure to have a comprehensive plan to combat the steadily rising tide of crime.

Tierney explained that Sini’s lapse of Suffolk County’s ShotSpotter program, a multi-million dollar system that immediately detects the sound of guns being fired, is a great example of Sini’s failure as District Attorney. ShotSpotter is a valuable resource that provides important gun crime data to Suffolk County. The ShotSpotter equipment picks up gunshot blasts and analyzes the data, providing that information to law enforcement within about 30 seconds after a shooting. With the ShotSpotter program, it has been reported that there has been a 50% to 89% improvement in shell casing recovery in homicide cases involving a firearm. The efficacy of this equipment is especially relevant during a time when there has been a skyrocketing increase in fatal shootings in Suffolk County.

The facts are clear and stand on their own. Sini failed to indict over 100 gun crimes. This is simply unacceptable and protects criminals at the expense of the safety of Suffolk County residents,stated Tierney.

A video from Wednesday’s press conference can be found here.

Suffolk County District Attorney Candidate Ray Tierney Gives Update On Challenging Tim Sini To Public Debate Series

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Last week, Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Ray Tierney challenged incumbent District Attorney candidate Tim Sini to a series of at least five debates until Election Day to give voters an accurate and comprehensive view of both candidates, their policy platforms, and how they want to protect Suffolk County residents. Tierney will agree to debate Sini in any public forum. As of Thursday, September 23rd, Tim Sini has failed to respond to this challenge.

The Suffolk County Criminal Bar Association invited both candidates to a debate for September 30th.  The Criminal Bar Association has been hosting the District Attorney debates for over 100 years. The Sini campaign has not committed to any date, after numerous attempts by the Bar Association to reach them. Last Friday, the Bar Association arranged a conference call between the campaigns and the Sini campaign was a no-show on the call.

“While I was hoping that Tim Sini would jump at an opportunity to give voters the chance to get a comprehensive and accurate view of both candidates, I can’t say I’m surprised. Throughout my press conference series each week, I have highlighted and will continue to highlight numerous examples of Sini’s incompetence as District Attorney, which has led to many tragedies in Suffolk County. If he accepts my debate challenge, he is going to have to explain why he let such tragedies happen. Obviously, he doesn’t want to do that because he knows he’s at fault,” stated Tierney.

Since last week when Tierney announced the debate challenge, organizations have come forward and invited both candidates to debates. The Tierney campaign has accepted. Thank you to the Times Beacon Record and the League of Women Voters/NAACP for the opportunity.

 *Tierney’s team will be monitoring Sini’s response and the public will be informed about debate specifics, should Sini choose to accept Tierney’s challenge.*

Suffolk County District Attorney Candidate Ray Tierney Challenges Tim Sini To A Public Debate Series

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Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Ray Tierney today challenged incumbent District Attorney candidate Tim Sini to a series of at least five debates until Election Day to give voters an accurate and comprehensive view of both candidates, their policy platforms, and what they plan to do for Suffolk County residents. Tierney will agree to debate Sini in any public forum. Our nation has a long illustrious history of political debates and at this critical time in our County, the voters deserve to hear directly from the candidates where they stand on so many issues, such as rising crime rates, bail reform, gang violence, the heroin/opioid epidemic and government corruption.

“I believe that Suffolk County voters deserve an opportunity to hear from both of us. They deserve to hear about our ideas for making our communities safer because that is the number one priority right now. We have seen far too much violence and tragedy in Suffolk County to be complacent. Voters must be given this opportunity to make an informed decision about the best choice for Suffolk County!” stated Tierney.

* Tierney’s team will be monitoring Sini’s response and the public will be informed about debate specifics, should Sini choose to accept Tierney’s challenge. *

Suffolk County District Attorney Candidate Ray Tierney Presents Plan To Combat Skyrocketing Gun Violence In Light Of Newsday Exclusive Report

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Ray Tierney stands alongside a poster of the Newsday article announcing a 23% rise in shootings in Suffolk County this year during a press conference that was held in front of Tommy’s Place in Port Jefferson Village — the site of a deadly gang-related shooting three months ago.

Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Ray Tierney held a press conference on Monday to respond to Newsday’s exclusive report on skyrocketing gun violence in Suffolk County. Tierney commented on how current District Attorney Tim Sini’s gross incompetence and failure to act as District Attorney led to a tragic increase in gun violence in Suffolk County, pointing specifically to Sini’s failure to prosecute gun crimes. Tierney also proposed three concrete solutions to this critical issue: as District Attorney, Tierney would develop a Crime Strategies Unit, create a dedicated centralized gang unit, and pursue aggressive prosecution.

Newsday reported yesterday morning that there has been a 23% increase in shootings and a 50% rise in fatalities this summer in Suffolk County. The article highlights gang activity, illegal weapons, and fewer gun seizures as contributing factors. Ray Tierney explained that a lack of action from current District Attorney Sini is ultimately the most significant cause of the skyrocketing gun violence.

This unacceptable increase in gun violence is happening because Tim Sini refuses to do his job as District Attorney and actually prosecute gun crimes! Sini failed to timely prosecute over 100 gun crimes just in April of this year in Suffolk County, leaving dangerous criminals on our streets. The vast majority of the violence committed in the county is being driven by gangs. Thus, you need a gang bureau and crime strategies bureau that will work hand-in-hand with law enforcement to identify, investigate, and prosecute these gang members in a timely manner. Timely prosecution means taking these violent actors off the street as quickly as possible. Right now, that is not happening, and the current District Attorney is not up to the task, stated Tierney.

Tierney described Sini’s failure as being even worse than Bail Reform, which in and of itself has increased violence and chaos. Tierney’s message is clear — Suffolk County residents are no longer safe and this must change. He discussed how it is painful enough to think about this drastic increase in crime in Suffolk County in general, let alone to consider the effect of Sini’s incompetence on our most vulnerable communities.

When I become DA in November, I will do what I have done for my entire career, which is work tirelessly with our local, state, and federal partners to keep our residents safe. This would be my job as District Attorney. This is what I would be elected to do. This is what Tim Sini was elected to do, and yet, he continuously refuses to put the safety of Suffolk County residents first. That will change in November,added Tierney.

A video from Monday’s press conference can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1sAuYbG8IWuuvZ5hNpeDeD7rdSyF9Pp4l/view?usp=sharing

Suffolk County District Attorney Candidate Ray Tierney Highlights How Tim Sini’s Inaction Led To East End Drug Overdose Deaths

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Ray Tierney held a press conference outside the Suffolk DA’s office in Hauppauge on September 8 to explain to reporters how the current DA, Tim Sini, had four opportunities to lock up Justin K. Smith and Lavain Creighton for felony drug charges, but failed to do so. He said Sini’s inaction led to six overdose deaths on the East End of Long Island.

 

Suffolk County District Attorney Candidate Ray Tierney Highlights How Tim Sini’s Inaction Led To East End Drug Overdose Deaths

Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Ray Tierney revealed, on September 8, shocking information showing how current District Attorney Tim Sini’s inaction and gross incompetence allowed six individuals to be killed in drug overdoses on the East End last month.

At a press conference outside the District Attorney’s Hauppauge office, former Federal and Suffolk County prosecutor Tierney highlighted numerous times in the past year when Sini could have arrested, held, and indicted the two men, Justin Smith and Lavain Creighton, accused of selling the fentanyl-laced cocaine believed to have caused six deaths and injured twelve others.

“These two dangerous criminals should never have been on the streets of Suffolk County in the first place to sell their deadly poison. Tim Sini had at least FOUR opportunities in the past TEN months to put Smith and Creighton behind bars on felony charges and he failed to act!” said Tierney.

Tim Sini, who ran for District Attorney after a failed race for Suffolk County Legislator, has never tried a criminal case in Suffolk County Courts. Ray Tierney has been lead prosecutor on hundreds of major criminal cases in both Federal and Suffolk County criminal courts. Included in Tierney’s long record of successful prosecutions, ironically, was putting Justin Smith behind bars for twelve years for a 1996 drug sale.

“We need to ask District Attorney Tim Sini tough questions about his failures and why he did not indict Smith and Creighton when he had the chance. Is it too much to expect the District Attorney to do his job and protect the residents of Suffolk County?” added Tierney.

A video from Wednesday’s press conference can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xVfbpFylNrWJJvb9zLJcmXqkQFltUqZq/view?usp=sharing

Urgent Update: Justin Smith Released From Jail

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Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Ray Tierney today issued the following statement regarding the release of Justin K. Smith:

“As I discussed at a press conference earlier today, due to Tim Sini’s gross negligence and failure as District Attorney, Justin Smith, one of the two accused defendants, and a persistent violent felon, has been released from the Suffolk County jail on a paltry bond. Tim Sini needs to answer for his office’s irresponsibility. The deaths of six Suffolk residents would have been prevented if Sini just did his job!”

Ray Tierney Details Timeline of Arrest of Justin K. Smith

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Says Current DA Had Numerous Opportunities to Indict Him for Felony Drug Possession, But Failed to Do So

Last week, Suffolk District Attorney Tim Sini held a press conference to congratulate himself for the arrest of Justin Smith and claimed that Mr. Smith bears responsibility in the overdose deaths that occurred in the east end of Long Island between August 5 and August 13, 2021. According to reports, in total, there were nine overdoses and six deaths as a result of drug dealers mixing fentanyl with cocaine.

https://www.newsday.com/long-island/crime/drugs-fatal-overdoses-suffolk-county-1.50338336

While Mr. Smith certainly bears criminal responsibility, Mr. Sini, as usual, omitted numerous facts from his press conference that prove that, if Mr. Sini was doing his job, these tragic deaths would never have occurred.  This is what really happened:

ACTUAL TIMELINE:

  • Justin K. Smith was first arrested in 1995. Ray Tierney prosecuted Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith pleaded guilty to the robbery and remained in jail for 12 years, getting paroled in May of 2007.
  • In November 2007, Mr. Smith was once again arrested and charged with felony possession of narcotics with intent to sell. Once again, he pleaded guilty and received a sentence of three years’ incarceration. (This second felony conviction is important because it makes Mr. Smith a second felony offender under existing New York state law.  This means that, if Mr. Smith is convicted of a third felony, the prosecutor can seek a very heavy sentence, up to and including a sentence of life imprisonment.)
  • In October 2020, the East End Drug Task Force was able to make four separate felony drug buys involving Mr. Smith. Any one of these drug buys, if indicted by the District Attorney, would have been enough to charge Smith with a felony and he would be looking at life imprisonment. The District Attorney did not indict Mr. Smith on the prior drug sales.
  • In February 2021, a full six months before those six victims on the east end lost their lives, the District Attorney executed a search warrant at a residence controlled by Mr. Smith and recovered felony amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl. Again, the District Attorney did not indict the case.

**A drug dealer mixes fentanyl with drugs such as crack and powdered cocaine. Cocaine is expensive. Drug dealers will buy cocaine and look to increase their profits by adding non-narcotic fillers to the cocaine, such as mannitol and baby powder, so they can sell more of it. Of course, stretching out the cocaine in this manner makes it less potent, so the drug dealers will add the relatively cheap fentanyl to the mixture to fool their customers into thinking they are not getting ripped off. Fentanyl is a powerful end-of-life narcotic that is highly addictive and very dangerous. In fact, it is so dangerous that it is usually only prescribed to terminally ill patients. One slight misstep in the mixture could lead to a string of overdoses, which is exactly what happened on the east end six months later in August.

Suffolk DA Candidate Ray Tierney Comments on Tim Sini’s Press Conference on Arrests of Overdose Deaths

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Last week, DA Tim Sini held a self-congratulatory press conference to announce the arrest of Justin K. Smith (and a co-defendant) in the case of six fatal overdoses on Long Island’s East End.

He failed to mention that, in October 2020, Mr. Smith had been arrested on multiple felony counts for selling drugs, including fentanyl. Mr. Sini’s office failed to indict him and released him the same day without bail.

Again, in February 2021, they executed a search warrant at a residence controlled by Mr. Smith, recovering felony amounts of cocaine, crack cocaine and fentanyl. “Mr. Sini’s office failed again to indict Mr. Smith and he was released,” said Ray Tierney, Republican and Conservative candidate for Suffolk County District Attorney. “The senseless loss of six lives was the result of DA Tim Sini’s incompetence. Mr. Smith should have been in prison and not on the streets. I am setting the record straight today because Mr. Sini routinely omits key facts during press conferences and doesn’t take questions.”

Mr. Tierney added: “My heart goes out to the families of the victims. The influence of drugs attacks our children and our communities. It’s one thing to hold press conferences to announce arrests, but it’s an entirely another thing to do the job you’ve been elected to do as District Attorney. It’s style over substance, and Suffolk residents continue to pay the price.”

Vote Ray Tierney For District Attorney

Election Day: Tuesday, November 2nd
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