Crime Scene

Rockland District Attorney Michael Bongiorno and his election opponent, Democrat Tom Zugibe, each snared endorsements.

Zugibe, a former prosecutor and West Haverstraw justice for 18 years until January, captured the backing of the leadership of the Civil Service Employees Association of Region 3, which represents 40,000 members in the Southern Tier of New York.

Bongiorno won support from the leaders of the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers. The union represents more than 6,000 active and retired, uniformed members of the NYS police from the rank of trooper through major.

In backing Zugibe, CSEA Region 3 President Diane Hewitt cited his “dedication to the labor movement and working families.”

Zugibe was previously endorsed by the leaders of the Rockland Patrolmen’s Benevolent Associations, along with the PBAs in Ramapo and Haverstraw. He has all PBAs in the county behind him. Three PBA presidents – Cyril Kerr of the county PBA, John Lawless of Haverstraw and Dennis Procter of Ramapo- have done ads broadcast on cable television for Zugibe.

 “I am honored to have the support of the CSEA,” Zugibe said in a news release. “The Civil Service Employees Association is an extraordinary union, representing dedicated, hard-working public employees, and I look forward to serving its membership as the next District Attorney of Rockland County.”

In endorsing Bongiorno, the New York State Troopers PBA leadership also added to the district attorney’s pro-law enforcement credentials.

“We need individuals like Michael Bongiorno in leadership positions to help law enforcement officers better serve the residents of New York State,” union president, Daniel M. De Federicis said. “Michael Bongiorno has proven himself as a tough prosecutor who makes special efforts to support and seek justice for crime victims.” De Federics said.

“His work over the years has complemented the work of the men and women who have dedicated their lives to law enforcement,” De Federics said. “He is well respected by not only the law enforcement community, but also by business owners and residents throughout the county.â€?

Bongiorno, already has been endorsed by the the New York State Police Investigators Association, the New York City Sergeants Benevolent Association, Rockland County Correction Officers Benevolent Association, Rockland County Sheriff’s Deputies Association, New York Supreme Court Officers Association, New York State Court Officers Association, Detectives’ Endowment Association, Westchester County Correction Officers Benevolent Association, the Sheriff’s Officers Association of Nassau County, the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Employee Association, and the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association.

Learn more about Bongiorno at www.bongiorno2007.com/index.cfm

Learn more about  Zugibe at  www.zugibe4da.com.