Post by Logan on Jan 15, 2016 1:30:07 GMT -6
Erie County Comptroller Stefan I. Mychajliw violated the county’s ethics laws when he asked county-connected businessmen to cover nearly $12,000 in tuition costs so he could attend a Harvard University business program, the county’s Board of Ethics has found.
The board drew its conclusion after reviewing his 2014 financial-disclosure form. Although the Board of Ethics found no evidence that Mychajliw received the tuition payment “gifts” in exchange for rewards or preferential treatment by his office, the board said the comptroller personally solicited favors that could be seen as influencing his office.
“What was reported, we believe, was in violation of the law,” said Board of Ethics Chairman Steven Schwartz, “which is why we referred it to the district attorney.”
Mychajliw strongly denied the board’s conclusion, pointing out that while he sought tuition assistance from people who do business with the county, the initiating and approving of their contracts are done by the county executive and the County Legislature, not the Comptroller’s Office.
Continue reading at www.buffalonews.com/feed/erie-county-comptroller-is-cited-for-ethics-violation-20160114 .
The board drew its conclusion after reviewing his 2014 financial-disclosure form. Although the Board of Ethics found no evidence that Mychajliw received the tuition payment “gifts” in exchange for rewards or preferential treatment by his office, the board said the comptroller personally solicited favors that could be seen as influencing his office.
“What was reported, we believe, was in violation of the law,” said Board of Ethics Chairman Steven Schwartz, “which is why we referred it to the district attorney.”
Mychajliw strongly denied the board’s conclusion, pointing out that while he sought tuition assistance from people who do business with the county, the initiating and approving of their contracts are done by the county executive and the County Legislature, not the Comptroller’s Office.
Continue reading at www.buffalonews.com/feed/erie-county-comptroller-is-cited-for-ethics-violation-20160114 .