Building-department indictments and backlog take center stage in East Hampton debate

Accusations about corruption in the town building department and persistent permit delays dominated a large portion of the Democratic primary debate in East Hampton.

Challenger Jerry Larson repeatedly raised the issue, saying the department "has not increased staffing until January 2026" and that policies such as requiring certificates of occupancy before property transfers contributed to a collapse of process. "There's corruption. I don't even know where the corruption ends," Larson said, and he urged immediate suspension of implicated staff, outreach to neighboring municipalities for mutual-aid inspectors, and hiring part-time qualified retirees to clear backlog.

Incumbent Kathy Burke Gonzalez pushed back on some procedural allegations and said the building department had been under an 18-month district attorney investigation that constrained what officials could say publicly while cooperating. She defended steps taken to address staffing and operations: hiring a new department head, creating six new positions (three clerical, two plans examiners and a Spanish-speaking inspector), moving some roles to civil service classifications and contracting outside architectural firms to help with plan reviews. "We have this under control," Gonzalez said, adding that throughput is improving and projecting a steady reduction in turnaround times over the coming year.

Both candidates described public-safety concerns arising from permit delays and raised questions about whether previously issued certificates and permits should be re-verified; Larson asked whether inspectors have checked that older permits complied with egress and detector requirements. Gonzalez said the DA investigation began in October 2024 and culminated in April 2026 indictments, and praised building staff for processing nearly 8,500 transactions in 2025 while under investigation.

Why it matters: Permit backlogs and corruption allegations affect property transactions, local businesses (contractors, plumbers, electricians) and residents on fixed incomes facing transfer-related expenses. Candidates offered different remedies: Larson emphasized immediate suspensions and mutual-aid hiring; Gonzalez emphasized systemic reforms, civil-service adjustments and new hires.

Next steps: No formal municipal action occurred at the debate; the matter remains subject to law-enforcement proceedings. Voters will weigh the candidates' proposals when they vote on June 23.