Monroe County ethics watchdogs plan to investigate District Attorney Sandra Doorley’s actions when she received a ticket last week for speeding.
Late Tuesday, Janson McNair, director of the Monroe County Office of Public Integrity and chairman of the county Board of Ethics, said those two entities would conduct an investigation into Doorley.
“The investigation begins immediately,” he said. “We will communicate the results of our thorough investigation and subsequent recommendations to the appropriate authorities and share them with the public via a press release.”
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The county ethics code states that officials “should not use or attempt to use” their official positions “to secure unwarranted privileges or exemptions.”
Intentional violations of the code may result in removal from office. However, McNair clarified that his office does not have the authority to enforce this provision, specifying that only the governor can do so.
While much of the public anger toward Doorley has focused on his behavior toward a Webster police officer during an attempted traffic stop, video of the interaction raises ethical questions not only about his words but also on his intention.
Doorley is heavily criticized for failing to stop when the officer, Cameron Crisafulli, pursued her using emergency lights and sirens, and for her contumacious attitude toward the officer upon his arrival at her home. Doorley had been traveling 20 miles above the posted speed limit.
“It is not lost on us that if a black or brown member of the community fled the police and refused to follow instructions, the situation could have come to a tragic end, as we have seen so many times in our country,” he said. declared the working group. The Families Party, which called on Doorley to resign, said in a statement Monday.
Also of great concern are the words Doorley used during the confrontation with the police officer who was giving him a ticket. After declaring she was the county attorney, Doorley said, “I’m going to sue myself. Do you know what I’ll do with the ticket?”
Granted, Doorley doesn’t answer the question, but the appearance of impropriety is hard to ignore, regardless of the possibility that she was furious with her comments.
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In her position, she could not provide a favorable outcome for any defendant – or any member of her staff – and yet her words could imply that she was planning exactly that.
In a short video posted Monday, Doorley said she plans to go before a lawyers’ grievance committee herself and ask that her actions be investigated. She also said she would refer the case to an external prosecutor.
Doorley pleaded guilty to speeding…
