(Buffalo, NY, March 16, 2006) - - Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is putting a heap of heat on the County Executive.

Poloncarz says Joel Giambra made improper use of HEAP workers as ushers at his State of the County address last month.

The Comptroller says it was a misuse of the federally-funded Home Energy Assistance Program.

Poloncarz said, "HEAP workers are only supposed to be assisting low-income individuals in their acquisition of assistance to help pay for their utility bills during the winter, which is what the HEAP program is. There is no direct or indirect to the HEAP program by them acting as ushers at the State of the County address."

Poloncarz says Erie County could face financial penalties for making ushers out of HEAP workers.

The county attorney says the amount of pay involved is $124.00.

Copyright WIVB-TV, 2006