OLD WESTBURY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state has suspended two Transportation Department officials amid criticism of the snow-removal effort on eastern Long Island.
An attorney for one of the officials confirmed Thursday the suspensions are for 30 days without pay.
Attorney Howard Rubin says the department's Suffolk regional director, Subimal Chakrobouti (soo-bee-MAHL' CHUH'-kruh-bor-tee), was told about the suspension in an email Saturday. Rubin says his client is being made a scapegoat.
The attorney says a transportation maintenance engineer also was suspended.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday called the suspensions a personnel matter.
At least 30 inches of snow fell across eastern Long Island. Hundreds became stranded on roadways for hours.
Meanwhile, a town highway official in Brookhaven resigned Wednesday after reports that some residents had to wait days to get their neighborhoods plowed.
