Nassau County DA Candidate Advocates for Hiring Offenders

In a surprising twist, a candidate for Nassau County’s district attorney position is encouraging those with criminal records to apply for a job within her campaign, offering a salary of up to $7,000 monthly.

Nicole Alloys, who is soon to take over as the county’s top prosecutor, has posted a job listing for a “communications director” aimed at replacing the current Republican district attorney, Anne Donnelly.

Interestingly, the advertisement explicitly suggests that individuals with criminal histories should consider applying. This recruitment effort presents a job for media relations, engaging with New York journalists, and campaigning, yet the focus on hiring those who have faced convictions stands out in a rather unconventional manner.

The objective of the prospective communications director appears to be garnering positive media coverage for the candidate. However, Donnelly has labeled this approach as politically tone-deaf and “dangerous,” arguing it promotes an agenda that undermines the safety of law-abiding citizens.

Donnelly remarked, “The district attorney’s role is to ensure justice while protecting confidential information, not to bring in those with criminal backgrounds into such vital positions.” She further asserted that only someone who is quite out of touch would prioritize hiring convicted offenders over qualified, law-abiding candidates for sensitive roles.

Having served as a prosecutor for 16 years in both Queens and Nassau, Alloys has experience in the field. Some localities have regulations that prevent discrimination against individuals with criminal records, including New York City’s “Ban the Box” law, which restricts employers from inquiring about criminal histories until a conditional job offer is made.

Donnelly expressed concern over the implications of targeting offenders specifically for roles in Alloys’ campaign, suggesting it reflects a “dangerous worldview.” She poses a rhetorical question: “Will you hire criminals to help run the campaign?” To her, this viewpoint suggests a reckless ideology that Nassau residents cannot afford to endorse.

Alloys did not provide comments in response to requests made via phone or email.

In the midst of her own campaign, Donnelly is advocating against New York’s cashless bail law, presenting her record as a prosecutor to position Nassau as one of the safest counties in the nation. “For safety, accountability, and common sense in your district attorney, I’m proud to be the choice of the community wanting to keep Nassau the safest place in America,” she stated.