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Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora) called on Erie County Legislators to begin an immediate investigation into the questionable actions and lack of professional audit practices of former Evans Town Supervisor Mary Hosler.
For now, Hosler serves as Erie County Deputy Comptroller for Audit.
This comes after New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli released a highly critical audit of the Town of Evans employee benefit practices Hosler was directly responsible for.
That audit discovered that, as town supervisor, Hosler enriched herself by approving unsupported separation payments totaling $6,000, treating herself differently than other town employees.
The goal of the investigation would be to determine whether or not criminal activity took place when Hosler ordered subordinates to bend the rules to line her own pockets. It also calls for an independent audit to review her professional conduct during all audits done by the Office of the Erie County Comptroller since she has been on the public payroll.
“The disturbing results of this state comptroller report should alarm every Erie County resident. As a taxpayer watchdog, Mary Hosler, and by extension, Comptroller Kevin Hardwick’s Office, should be run without fear of impropriety and fiscal mismanagement.
“Based on the independent findings of Democrat Tom DiNapoli, you would expect Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick would also be distressed by the findings of this critical state audit of his top political appointee. Hardwick cannot investigate his own handpicked deputy. This is why an outside, independent auditor is needed immediately to review Hosler’s ‘work.’
“If it is true that Ms. Hosler established practices where she defrauded taxpayers for personal profit, then she has no business being at the controls of Erie County finances and audits. I implore the Erie County Legislature to immediately investigate this matter,” said DiPietro.
The state audit, which looked into employee benefit practices for the period of January 1, 2015, to November 29, 2023, uncovered numerous discrepancies and errors in managing employee benefit procedures for employees, costing Evans taxpayers thousands of dollars.
It also found Hosler may have established processes in which she personally profited, defrauding taxpayers in the process. Interviews with Evans town board members and employees revealed no justification for those payments. The state audit findings appear to imply Hosler ordered a lower-level, subordinate employee to bend the rules pertaining to health insurance payments, lining her pockets with thousands of dollars she may not have been entitled to receive.
“It is the Legislature’s responsibility to ensure those at the controls are putting taxpayers first. Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick and his office must take that charge seriously. I recommend that an outside auditor conduct a full investigation into Hosler’s work as Deputy Comptroller for Audit. As the assemblyman representing the Town of Evans, I look forward to working with current town officials to implement recommendations made by the state comptroller’s office to improve practices and procedures,” said DiPietro.
Assemblyman David DiPietro represents the 147th Assembly District, which includes parts of Erie and Wyoming counties.
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