As his full-time job hangs in the balance, Luigi Anelli's seat on the Mentz Town Board may also be compromised by the release of a state investigation this month.

Mentz Town Supervisor Jack O'Neil refused to speculate on how the board will react to a recent state Inspector General investigation revealing Anelli tended to too much town and personal business while on the clock at his job with the state Canal Corporation. The state Inspector General's Office released a report this month recommending Anelli, a permit coordinator for about 1,000 properties along the canal system, recieve disciplinary action from his employer.

"First of all we've got to confirm the findings," O'Neil said, adding the town board likely wouldn't do anything until the Canal Corporation takes action.

Disciplinary action may include termination, Canal Corporation spokeswoman Jennifer Meicht said Monday. The corporation is currently reviewing the case.

Investigators initially responding to a corruption complaint tailed the state employee for six days as he left his Syracuse office and stopped at Mentz Town Hall, ran errands and shopped in Auburn, Weedsport, Cayuga and Port Byron. On one occasion, Anelli drove to a Herkimer County Wal-Mart, according to the report.

The Inspector General also contended Anelli spent a significant amount of time conducting personal and town business in e-mails and on the phone while on the clock for the state. Anelli was suspended for three months last year for a similar offense.

For more, read Tuesday's Citizen