XPost: alt.politics.democrats, alt.society.liberalism, alt.journalism.newspapers
XPost: alt.politics.usa.republican, talk.politics.guns

CENTRAL ISLIP, N.Y. — A Long Island lawmaker who is also a doctor
has been arrested on drug charges after he tried to trade pills for
sex, authorities said.

Suffolk County Legislator William Spencer was arrested Tuesday on
charges of third-degree sale of a controlled substance and third-
degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Newsday
reports that he pleaded not guilty at his arraignment Wednesday at
First District Court in Central Islip.

Prosecutors said Spencer, an ear, nose and throat doctor, had a
relationship with a prostitute whom he paid with the opioid
oxycodone.

They said a federal drug agent who had taken possession of the
woman’s phone answered a text from Spencer and arranged to meet the legislator on Tuesday.

Spencer had two oxycodone pills, condoms and a handgun when he was
arrested, prosecutors said. They said he had a permit that allowed
him to own the gun but not to carry it.

Spencer was released on his own recognizance after he surrendered
his passport. His attorney, Mark Goidell, said his client “dedicated
his life to the well-being of the community, his family and his
patients,” adding, “Nothing in these charges diminishes those contributions.”

The impact of the criminal charges on Spencer’s future as a
legislator was not immediately clear. County law does not require a
legislator to step down following an arrest.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/oct/21/william-spencer- new-york-democrat-arrested-drugs-s/

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