A state Department of Labor employee who works on farms in the Finger Lakes region owes the state nearly $14,000 for personal use of her state vehicle and cell phone, the state Inspector General said Thursday.

Wuanita Graham, 51, of Wolcott, a rural employment aid who traveled to about 300 farms a year to help migrant workers in Wayne, Ontario, Yates, Seneca and Cayuga counties, drove 26,500 personal miles in her state vehicle and made thousands of cell phone calls on her cell phone from 2002 to 2006, according to a news release from the Inspector General's office. Claiming them as work expenses, Graham cost the state $10,247 for mileage and $2,516 for the cell phone calls.

Graham, who joined the Department of Labor in 1989 and earned $45,000, was issued a gas card and travel card in addition to the vehicle and cell phone.

According to the release, the Inspector General's investigation found that Graham routinely used her vehicle on her days off.

“This employee abused her position at the expense of state taxpayers,” Inspector General Joseph Fisch said, “and should be required to make restitution.”

Fisch has referred the case to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's office for possible prosecution.

The Department of Labor has initiated disciplinary action against Graham for the car, cell phone and other issues, according to the release.

Graham could not be reached for comment Thursday.


click here to read the Inspector General's report