49. Thomas Spota

Sure, his office is reportedly under federal investigation for helping cover up crimes for politically connected friends—the ultimate irony for a prosecutor who made headlines for convicting crooked lawmakers after he was first elected. True, his former protégé, James Burke, the disgraced ex-Suffolk police chief, is serving federal prison time for beating a suspect for unsuspectedly stealing his duffel bag loaded with porn and sex toys, then covering it up. And yes, numerous Suffolk County lawmakers have called for Spota to resign. But since Spota has refused, he remains the top-elected law enforcement official in Suffolk, clinging to his waning days of power. Will he run for re-election this fall? He hasn’t said as of press time, but it’s doubtful, considering the dark cloud over him. So don’t be surprised if his fall from the top of this list to the bottom turns out to be a harbinger of his unceremonious retirement.