The Lie:
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Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman claims that his establishment of a private militia (aka Special Deputy Sheriff program) is within his rights.
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He insists that he is not obligated to disclose any information about it to the public, or even to Nassau County Legislators.
Why You May Believe the Lie:
- When frustrated lawmakers attempted legal action to shed light on Blakeman’s militia, he responded not with transparency but by countersuing, alleging Legislators’ lawsuit was a SLAPP Suit (SLAPP or Strategic Lawsuit against Public Participation).
The Truth:
- Blakeman’s countersuit represented a distortion of the protections offered under the anti-SLAPP provisions of the Civil Rights Law, which safeguard the public’s right to discuss matters of public concern without fear of retaliation from those whose actions are being protested.
- On Oct. 17, 2025, the NY Supreme Court DISMISSED Blakeman’s counterclaim, stating that:
- “…extending anti-SLAPP provisions to these circumstances would be inconsistent with the Legislature’s intent… to protect citizens from retaliation for exercising their rights of free speech and petition, not to shield municipalities or public officials from actions challenging the legalities of government actions. Citizens must remain free to question the legality of governmental actions without the deterrent effect of retaliatory claims for damages under the anti-SLAPP law.”
- The court also approved the Legislators’ claims that Blakeman’s counterclaim was itself a SLAPP suit, potentially exposing the County to liability for attorney fees and damages.
Action You Can Take:
- Share this post on your social media and email and discuss it with your friends.
- Call Blakeman and tell him to come clean about the militia and stop wasting taxpayer funds on frivolous lawsuits. Contact Blakeman at: nassaucountyny.gov/481/County-Executive, or 516-571-6000 or 516-571-3131 – prompt 5, then “other”.
