Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul delivered a scathing message to the “above the law” Monroe County District Attorney whose traffic stop last week was captured on bodycam video.
In the 18-minute video released by the Town of Webster, District Attorney Sandra Doorley, a former Democrat who switched to the GOP in 2015, attempts to talk her way out of a traffic ticket inside her garage after a Webster police officer spotted her speeding and she didn’t stop.
“District attorneys are responsible for prosecuting criminal and traffic offenses, and must perform their duties with the highest ethical standards,” Hochul said in a statement. “I referred the Monroe County District attorney to the Commission on Prosecutorial Conduct following the release of police bodycam footage showing her claiming she is above the law, attempting to use her public office to evade responsibility, and acting unprofessionally towards a police officer simply trying to do his job. In doing so, she was in contravention of her responsibility as a District Attorney and undermined her ability to hold others accountable for her violating the law.”
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Doorley, who was heading home from work, admitted to driving 55 mph in a 35 mph zone along Phillips Road less than half a mile from her neighborhood and apologized in a nearly 2-minute video statement released Monday.
“Last Monday, I failed you and the standards that I hold myself to—and for that I am so sorry. What I did was wrong—no excuses. I take full responsibility for my actions. I fell short of the values I have held for my entire 33-year career. I didn’t treat this officer with the respect he deserved. All police officers deserve respect. I am truly and sincerely sorry,” Doorley says in the apology video.
“I had just come from work. I was dealing with three homicides that occurred over the weekend…and I was still reeling from a frightening medical concern that my husband received that afternoon. But we all have bad days and stress. It was wrong for me to take it out on an officer who was simply doing his job.”
Doorely said she is holding herself accountable.
The Republican DA pleaded guilty to the speeding ticket and plans to pay the fine. She referred the incident to another county’s DA for review. She self-reported the matter to the grievance committee and plans to cooperate with the investigation.
Doorley said she is also disciplining herself.
“I am taking ethics training to remind myself that professional matters,” Doorely said in the video. “I have been humbled by my own stupidity. I will make this right. I ask for your forgiveness.”
Elected in 2011, Doorley is the first female district attorney in Monroe County. She was reelected in 2015 and 2019 after switching to the Republican Party.
Democratic New York state Assembly Members Sarah Clark, Harry Bronson, Jen Lunsford and Demond Meeks and state Sen. Samra Broukalso also released a statement criticizing Doorley’s actions.
“The disturbing video of District Attorney Sandra Dooley’s conduct during a routine traffic stop is completely unethical and there must be actions,” the statement reads. “DA Doorley must be held accountable and all options to investigate the situation must be pursued including violations of public officers laws, professional legal ethics as well as removal from office need to be considered.”
Newsweek reached out to Doorley’s office seeking further comment.
Newsweek reached out to the Town of Webster seeking the raw bodycam video.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.