Senior Suffolk sheriff officer resigns amid investigation into 'questionable incident'

A senior Suffolk County Sheriff's Department official has resigned amid an investigation into allegations that he gave a recruit an unfair advantage on the physical fitness portion of the correctional officer entrance exam, sheriff's department officials said.

Undersheriff Michael Catuosco, who joined the department in 2019 after previously serving as jail warden at Rikers Island in New York City, will officially leave his post on Sept. 2, according to Vicki DiStefano, a spokeswoman for Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr.

The incident involved an applicant taking an agility test for the faculty entrance exam in late July, she said.

“Last week we became aware of a questionable incident and immediately took action and began a formal investigation,” DiStefano said in a statement. “Undersheriff Catuosco voluntarily submitted his resignation prior to the completion of the investigation.”

“The Sheriff’s Office does not tolerate unfair treatment of our recruits or employees.”

DiStefano declined to provide further details about the ongoing investigation.

Investigators learned of the incident after a correctional officer reported it, said Lou Viscusi, president of the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association. Viscusi praised the union member for being brave enough to alert his superiors to possible misconduct.

“Throughout the process, my members have demonstrated the highest levels of professionalism and integrity,” he said. “When there were attempts to compromise those values, it was flagged and reported to the sheriff, who then took immediate remedial action.”

The physical fitness portion of the test requires a man in his 20s to do 38 sit-ups and 29 push-ups and run 1.5 miles in 12 minutes and 38 seconds. The requirements vary by age and gender. It's not clear which part of the fitness test the recruit may have had an advantage on.

DiStefano said Catuosco was relieved of his duties as head of the department's training office during the investigation. DiStefano declined to name the recruit. It's not clear whether that person will advance in the hiring process.

It is unclear whether Catuosco, who did not immediately respond to a request for comment, violated any policies since his resignation came amid the ongoing investigation.

Suffolk County Correctional Officers supervise inmates in the county jails. Their starting salary is $49,721, which increases to $124,235 after 12 years. They also receive full county benefits. Successful applicants must pass a written exam, medical examination, psychological evaluation and physical fitness test.

Catuosco earned a salary of $170,091.97 in 2023 and also received a state exemption from receiving a pension for his years in New York City, although the pension amount was not immediately available.

He joined the department in 2019 as a deputy undersheriff and was promoted to undersheriff earlier this year. In that role, he oversaw Toulon's performance management initiative, where he analyzed the department's accountability metrics, according to the department's website. He also oversaw the firearms and public affairs division and led the creation of the Wellness Division in 2022.