Former Cayuga County legislator Dr. David Walrath has filed claims against the county for denial of medical benefits and medical insurance. The claim asserts that damages amount to unpaid medical bills and payment of insurance premiums.

Walrath served as a legislator for 10 years, during which time he represented District 6.

Cayuga County Chairman Herb Marshall said Monday that he had not seen the claim but presumed it regards Walrath's concerns about not receiving health insurance benefits into retirement. Marshall said he had talked with Walrath and had turned the matter over to the county attorney and to an employee in charge of health insurance in the treasurer's office.

Currently, legislators and full-time county employees must meet the same requirements when it comes to retirement health insurance benefits, according to the county treasurer's office.

They must serve the county for 10 years and retire, or have 10 years and leave the county when they are at least within five years of retirement. If employees leave any more than five years before their retirement age, they cannot receive retirement health benefits through the county.

State retirement system age starts at 55, and varies according to the employee's length of service.

“My understanding is that (retirement) procedure wasn't followed,” Marshall said.

The claim filed with the county states that Walrath will further particularize his “claim, its causes and its damages” at a later date, pending the result of an investigation by experts.

Walrath, who is in his 60s, had a medical/surgical practice in Auburn and announced his retirement from that position in September. He was also formally medical director at the Willard Drug Treatment Center in Ovid.

The telephone number of his private practice has since been disconnected, and Walrath could not be reached Monday at his home number. His attorney, Woodruff Lee Carroll of Syracuse, was out of the office.

In addition to his county career, Walrath also became well-known for his attempts to unseat U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-New Hartford.

He lost two Republican primaries, and later two elections, to the congressman.

Staff writer Linda Ober can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or linda.ober@lee.net