I am an independent journalist running Long Island Audit, focused on government and police accountability. On June 25, 2026, I went to Suffolk PBA headquarters to get President Louis Civello on camera about ongoing controversies involving the union. When he told me it was private property, I said “no problem” and immediately backed out toward my vehicle while still filming — but I was grabbed, handcuffed so tight my fingers went numb, and arrested for criminal trespass. The property isn’t fenced or enclosed, and the statute requires it to be, but I was told to leave and continuously did so. I was held shackled to a table for six hours and released to find my billboard truck had been towed at the PBA’s request.

This follows a pattern: I have a pending civil rights case over an officer who I allege entered my property without a warrant and assaulted me, all on video, and I believe this arrest was retaliation for my journalism. The Suffolk PBA is a powerful police union with deep pockets and political connections, and I am facing mounting legal and financial challenges as a result of my work holding them accountable.

The funds raised here will go toward criminal defense on the trespass charge, civil rights and defamation attorney’s fees against the PBA, recovering my towed truck, and supporting my ongoing journalism and accountability reporting. I’m asking for your support because I can’t fight this alone. If you believe in government accountability, press freedom, and the right to ask hard questions without being arrested for it, please consider chipping in whatever you can and sharing this with others. Every dollar and every share helps me keep fighting back and keep doing this work. Thank you for standing with me.