Westchester Prosecutors Leaving in Mass Exodus

Benefit cuts prompted prosecutors to leave

Westchester County's decision to cut benefits has prosecutors in the D.A.'s office heading to greener pastures.

The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a slew of cuts including sick and vacation caps and added health insurance premium contributions earlier this week. The move forces most employees to contribute anywhere from 10 to 20 percent of the total cost of their health insurance premiums.

It doesn't sit right with several of the county's top prosecutors who plan to resign, according to The Journal News.

District Attorney Janet DiFiore apparently spoke with top law enforcement officials throughout the county and told them about a dozen or so top prosecutors are leaving the office when the new changes take effect on July 1.

“She’s already received 10 or 12 resignations and they are some of the most seasoned people in her office,” Tuckahoe Police Chief John Costanzo told the Westchester paper.

The walkout would add more work to employees who can't afford to leave, some prosecutors are afraid they'll never see their families.

DiFiore has been meeting with legislators in the hopes the board will change its decision.

The D.A.'s office currently has 120 district attorneys, 38 investigators and 80 support personnel that prosecute over 40,000 criminal cases a year, according to the county.

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