Suffolk Cancels 20-Year Contract Amid Political Favoritism Claims

Union leaders and Democratic officials gathered outside Suffolk County’s Public Works building in Yaphank on Friday to denounce what they called political favoritism in a controversial contracting decision.

The Suffolk County Department of Public Works terminated its nearly 20-year relationship with Austin Drywall Corp., a Bohemia-based unionized construction firm, last month. The county then awarded the work to Renu Contracting & Restoration, owned by Michael VanDenburg, who serves on the county Planning Commission after being appointed by Republican Suffolk Executive Ed Romaine last year.

“Austin Drywall Corp. was praised by the County Executive, praised by Majority Leader Nick Caracappa, and had a good record — there are questions that must be answered,” Democratic Suffolk Legislator Greg Doroski told reporters alongside dozens of union workers.

The decision has sparked allegations of conflict of interest, with critics pointing to VanDenburg’s government position and his history of donations to Republican committees in Suffolk County, according to campaign finance records.

Union officials raised additional concerns about potential violations of Suffolk County’s Apprenticeship Law. The regulation requires contractors on public projects exceeding $250,000 to participate in state-registered apprenticeship programs, designed to train local workers while saving taxpayer money through lower apprentice wages.

“The county appears to have waived that law,” said union labor leader Vincent Alu. “If we are a nation of laws, those who enforce the law must follow the law, and the county must explain how and why it may have violated its own law.”

The terminated Austin Drywall contract was described as a multimillion-dollar “on-call” arrangement that allowed the county to quickly deploy union workers for repairs across Suffolk. Union leaders accused county officials of giving Renu “preferential treatment” by accepting a bid they believe fell below the state-mandated prevailing wage requirements for public projects.

“At a time where we are seeing record numbers of people at food pantries, we don’t want to see our local men and women not in work, we want to see local work done with local people,” said Democratic Suffolk Legislator Jason Richberg.

County officials firmly denied any wrongdoing or political motivation behind the contracting change. Charles Bartha, commissioner of the Suffolk Department of Public Works, defended the decision as legally compliant and financially sound.

“This contract was put out to bid in accordance with the provisions of New York State and Suffolk County law,” Bartha said. “The bids were carefully scrutinized, and the contract was awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, as the law requires.”

Bartha emphasized that the decision “should not be construed as a negative as to the quality of any other bidder,” though county officials did not explain why they terminated Austin Drywall’s contract despite previously praising the company’s performance.

Republican sources familiar with the bidding process dismissed the criticism as politically motivated attacks on a legitimate procurement decision.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Suffolk County’s Republican leadership and Democratic legislators over government transparency and fair contracting practices. Union leaders and Democratic officials demanded the county reverse course and reinstate the Austin Drywall contract, though county officials showed no indication they would reconsider the award to Renu Contracting.