Nassau Democrats are fuming after Bruce Blakeman quietly re-upped his longtime political ally Peter King’s no-bid contract Monday, accusing the Republican county executive of cronyism and a lack of transparency.
The 81-year-old King, a former Republican congressman, was first hired in November 2023 as Blakeman’s “confidential adviser” on counterterrorism and homeland security, a role that has allowed him to collect up to $8,000 a month without a public vote or an open bidding process due to the sensitive nature of the post.
The 81-year-old King was first hired in November 2023 as Blakeman’s (right) “confidential adviser” on counterterrorism and homeland security. Brigitte Stelzer
Records show Nassau has already shelled out $192,000 to King. And his contract, which was extended on Monday by the county executive, will now run through October.
“No-bid contracts for political insiders like Peter King are exactly why Long Islanders pay some of the highest taxes in