The county comptroller says County Executive Joel A. Giambra made a dangerous blunder in asking federally paid workers to act as ushers during his State of the County address.

Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz had asked Giambra to explain his decision to request help from three or four workers in the Home Energy Assistance Program during his Feb. 16 speech in the Buffalo Convention Center.

In response, Giambra had issued a letter saying the speech is official county business; he could find no prohibition on using the workers; and the federal government, which pays their salaries, allows them to spend a small percentage of their time on other matters.

This week, in his own letter, Poloncarz said he doesn't accept the response.

The use of those workers constituted improper use of federal dollars, Poloncarz said, adding that Giambra might have exposed the county to federal action. The amount in question, however, is around $200.