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WNED 970 News
Audit Questions County Cell Phone Use
Chris Caya
BUFFALO 2006-04-11 A line by line review of Erie County's cell phone and wireless bills has turned up many questionable charges.
Among the findings according to County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz...more than 80-employees have more than one wireless device. Some are downloading ring-tones and games, making personal long-distance calls. And Poloncarz says taxpayers are footing the bill for phones of former employees.
In all, the wireless bills total about a quarter of a million dollars a year. Small compared to the overall budget. But Poloncarz says the audit is not about "nickel and diming" the administration.
"When we have to come up with over $50-million is cost savings next year, every penny that this office can identify as a savings is going to save taxpayers in the long run," Poloncarz said.
Deputy County Executive Bruce Fisher says cell phone use is supposed to be monitored by department commissioners. And Fisher says the County will be reimbursed for bills rung-up by former employees - two of whom were politcal appointees - laid off a year ago.
"I'm going to bring this to their attention. They have to police this better," Fisher said.
Poloncarz is also calling for an investigation to find out who in the Giambra administration leaked the audit - a week early.
© Copyright 2006, wned
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