On March 6, John Chick was sentenced to serve 15 months in federal prison for his involvement in the illegal removal of asbestos from the county's Board of Elections building in February 2006.
Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., stated at the sentencing that “It is also clear in the evidence, Mr. Chick, you were acting at the direction of others. They also have a responsibility and it has been pointed out that they are not in court today.”
“Former Building and Grounds Superintendent Ernie DeCaro previously testified he knew the illegal activity was happening but he did nothing to stop it.” And “he told Cayuga County Legislator George Fearon - then legislative chairman - about Chick's work and took the chairman to the Board of Elections.”
Fearon testified that he didn't know about this removal until June 20, 2006 when another county employee took him on a tour of the site, four months after the asbestos was removed.
Evidently, someone is lying because, as the judge pointed out - it was clear in the evidence, that Chick was acting at the direction of others - but the only one who was prosecuted was John Chick, the county's designated scapegoat.
If the judge knows that other people knew, “It is clear in the evidence,” - then why aren't they being prosecuted?
However, Mr. Chick was somewhat compensated for his “heroic efforts” in that the county just got around to firing him this Jan. 25th, and sent him off with $3,106 for accrued vacation and compensatory time and a retroactive raise while being shown the door.
Chick pleaded guilty in January 2007. However, according to the county treasurer, “Chick was paid $39,528.07 plus benefits last year even though he never worked a day in his carpenter job in 2007.” Yet they paid him for compensatory time? Unbelievable!
Thus far, the county has spent $500,000 or so on fines, lawyers, etc. in this asbestos fiasco in addition to this $39,500 stipend. And there's more to come.
Is that why our taxes went up - again? Is this county out of control or what?
It's your money.
Bill Balyszak
Auburn
“Former Building and Grounds Superintendent Ernie DeCaro previously testified he knew the illegal activity was happening but he did nothing to stop it.” And “he told Cayuga County Legislator George Fearon - then legislative chairman - about Chick's work and took the chairman to the Board of Elections.”
Fearon testified that he didn't know about this removal until June 20, 2006 when another county employee took him on a tour of the site, four months after the asbestos was removed.
Evidently, someone is lying because, as the judge pointed out - it was clear in the evidence, that Chick was acting at the direction of others - but the only one who was prosecuted was John Chick, the county's designated scapegoat.
If the judge knows that other people knew, “It is clear in the evidence,” - then why aren't they being prosecuted?
However, Mr. Chick was somewhat compensated for his “heroic efforts” in that the county just got around to firing him this Jan. 25th, and sent him off with $3,106 for accrued vacation and compensatory time and a retroactive raise while being shown the door.
Chick pleaded guilty in January 2007. However, according to the county treasurer, “Chick was paid $39,528.07 plus benefits last year even though he never worked a day in his carpenter job in 2007.” Yet they paid him for compensatory time? Unbelievable!
Thus far, the county has spent $500,000 or so on fines, lawyers, etc. in this asbestos fiasco in addition to this $39,500 stipend. And there's more to come.
Is that why our taxes went up - again? Is this county out of control or what?
It's your money.
Bill Balyszak
Auburn
The Citizens' Say
There are 1 comment(s)
timrouse81404 wrote on Mar 12, 2008 4:12 PM: