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Rudy Sunderman, a Republican legislator in Shirley, was charged with perjury, dual office-holding and having a conflict of interest, according to the newly unsealed indictment.
It is alleged that Sunderman created a shell company in the name of his wife, Laura Sunderman, so he could receive income as an official with the Centereach Fire Department while still holding office. Sunderman was supposed to step down from his position and take a hefty pay cut shortly after his election in 2017 and instead allegedly took measures to circumvent that rule.
According to prosecutors, Sunderman stepped aside in word only, and continued his work in a shell company called “Now That's Fire Management" which was allegedly run by his wife.
A 2011 law in Suffolk County bars elected officials from holding a separate paid position within the county or any department, office, commission, board or agency. The law's exceptions are only for a teacher in a public school district or a professor at a public university.
Sunderman, 49, was released on his own recognizance, and is scheduled to return to court on Tuesday, Aug. 13, to respond to the charges. His attorneys have reportedly stated that Sunderman is not guilty of the charges levied against him.
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