Oct 10, 2005 - The Democratic candidate for Erie County Comptroller says some members of the Giambra Administration got money they didn't deserve, after they lost their jobs in the budget cutbacks.

Mark Poloncarz says a number of Joel Giambra's former appointees, received money when they left county government, they should not have received.

Former driver Victor Getz is allegedly one of those employees. Here is the history, according to a 2000 resolution, created by Giambra. Certain appointees on a list would not qualify for cashout of vacation and comp time. Giambra created this resolution after Gorski appointees left with more than $200,000.

Ironically, Poloncarz is saying the administration violated the policy they created, saying four appointees got improperly paid. He says they are: Victor Getz, more than $2,100 and Gerald Mineo, Carla Ruffino and Marina Woolcock, totaling about $10,000.

“These individuals did not. They cashed out time that they earned under different titles. Some of them had previous service in county government,” said John Greenan, personnel commissioner.

As for Victor Getz, he cashed out under the title of director of revenue recovery, which was a unit approved in the December budget, but never got up and running.

Poloncarz received this information in the last week. Poloncarz said it was a tip from a county worker and then they began their investigation. He says these were the only four he found allegedly improperly paid.

© 2005 WKBW-TV.