There is a dispute between candidates as to when chief assistant DA Jon Budelmann became aware that people had been exposed to asbestos at the county Board of Elections building.

Candidate Michael Bass has said there is reason to believe Budelmann knew before the rest of the public and did not tell anyone. Budelmann, who is running against Bass, maintains he was informed in July 2006 at the same time as everyone else.

The dispute revolves around a conversation that took place sometime in 2006 between Budelmann and county attorney Fred Westphal. During the conversation, Westphal asked Budelmann about possible crimes committed by a county employee, including attempts to blackmail the county, Westphal said Friday.

Numerous sources identified the employee as Anthony Garropy, whose complaint led to federal authorities investigating the asbestos removal.

Bass stated at a public forum earlier this week that Westphal informed him of the conversation with Budelmann about Garropy. Bass later said he got the “distinct impression” when he talked with Westphal that the conversation took place before other county employees and the public were informed of the asbestos.

Westphal said Friday that he did talk with Budelmann about the behavior of an employee sometime in late July or August. However, he said he could not give specifics of the conversation because of the ongoing investigations.

But the conversation “had nothing to do with the removal of asbestos,” Westphal said.

Budelmann confirmed that the two talked about a possible attempt at “coercion” on the part of the employee sometime after the second week of July. He said he does not recall asbestos being mentioned in the conversation.

Budelmann also said that he periodically talks with county attorneys as to whether an employee's behavior can be considered a crime and to investigate an employee's criminal history. Specific reasons for such inquiries are not discussed, he said.

County legislator Michelle Sedor said she talked with Westphal on July 29 of last year about the asbestos removal, and his conversation with Budelmann came up. He did not indicate the specific date and time when they talked, she said.

Sedor said Garropy did inform county officials of the asbestos during a meeting June 1 at which neither Westphal nor Budelmann was present. Sedor was informed of the asbestos removal July 24.

But Budelmann said that the conversation with Westphal is a “non-issue” because they talked after the public had been informed of the asbestos.

“This is clearly political wrangling by my opponent,” Budelmann said.

Bass maintains that the issue is relevant.

“If the conversation took place before the county employees were notified, obviously I think that is wrong,” Bass said.