2. Thomas Spota

Not much has changed in the past year with regard to the Suffolk district attorney. He’s still going after the bad guys pretty hard, especially those in office. If Spota’s arrest of former Islip Town Supervisor Pete McGowan is not a clear indication that this lawman is serious, then nothing else is. The toppling of McGowan is a big deal for Suffolk politics, since he was considered one of the most powerful elected officials around. But Spota does not stop at politicians. In the past year, he has leveled charges against police officers, a school athletic director and powerful gang members. It’s clear that this guy takes his job seriously.