A federal judge has found the presiding officer of the Nassau County
Legislature, Peter J. Schmitt, in contempt. Schmitt was fined $2,500 for
appearing on television to discuss details of a confidential report into police
misconduct and defying a gag order that he not disclose secrets of the case.
Nassau County Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt Friday vowed to appeal a federal
judge's contempt finding that he went on television and discussed secret
details of an investigation into police misconduct despite a gag order. Schmitt (R-Massapequa), whom the court fined $2,500, said he'd also ask
the court to publicly release a redacted version of the 700-page police report
on that misconduct.