Weber Calls For Ethics Workshop
June 2, 2008, 6:09 pm
12news Reporter John Rupolo reports on Erie County Controller Sue Weber's plans for an Ethics Workshop to take place on July 1st. Weber says the Workshop is being set because of potential ethics violations she says are continuing on the part of some county officials.
Weber says she met with County Executive Mark Divecchio early Monday morning to discuss two issues. The first had to do with a trip to Las Vegas Divecchio said he made with local developer John Puline paid for by that local developer. Divecchio did tell 12News Reporter John Rupolo he later reimbursed Puline 700 dollars for that trip. The purpose of the trip, according to administration officials, was to try and attract a large business to Erie County. Weber says the trip was perfectly legitimate county business but should have been paid for by the county and not a developer. She is callling it a conflict of interest. "Its not ok for an elected official to allow a developer whose proposing to develop something in the county. He'll come to the county most likely and ask for financial incentives, low interest loans and grants to pay for a trip," said Weber.
Weber also said she raised questions about Divecchio's catering business supplying food for the Erie County Employee Picnic which was set to take place in August. That event was later cancelled because, according to Divecchio, due to to much scrutiny and a lack of funding and lack of support.
John Rupolo
