Weiner, who was at Lake Ronkonkoma County Park with his two children just down the block from their home, went into the water at 8:30 p.m. Friday "to retrieve a remote controlled boat that was disabled," police said.

Weiner swam 150-200 feet offshore in an attempt to reach the boat, which was owned by a stranger also at the park, police said.

Newsday reported that three men had offered Weiner, an unemployed security guard, $40 to retrieve the boat.