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The Democratic Caucus of the Monroe County Legislature consists of 14 members. We represent the people of Monroe County, from Brighton to Henrietta, to Gates to Greece, from Irondequoit to Webster, to the City of Rochester. This site contains a wealth of information about our legislators and the issues that effect our community. If you are concerned about the future of Monroe County, you've come to the right place.
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Breaking News from the Democratic Caucus
Lawmakers Call on Comptroller to Audit Monroe County & Robutrad
(Rochester, NY – June 22, 2009) – Democratic County Legislators today contacted the New York State Comptroller requesting an audit of Monroe County in light of the unfolding Robutrad scandal.
In a letter to Comptroller DiNapoli, Democratic Leader Harry Bronson (D-Rochester, Brighton & Henrietta) said, “I and several other members of the Monroe County Legislature are deeply troubled by recent allegations that have been asserted in a Federal Criminal Complaint. The allegations implicate various members of this County’s Republican Party as well as elected officials and at least one county employee who are accused of using taxpayer resources to conduct political activities, illegally obtain taxpayer compensation, and falsify numerous records including time cards.
“Unfortunately, these allegations, if proven true, show a clear pattern of abuse that must have been permitted by inadequate fiscal controls and lax oversight of tax dollars as well as financial mismanagement or non-management at various levels of County government. Accordingly, I respectfully request that your office expeditiously begin an audit of this situation generally and specifically Monroe County’s Department of Environmental Services. It is imperative that the accounts of Monroe County’s officers be examined as soon as possible, to not only ensure the integrity of potential evidence but also to assist in reassuring the public that their county government is performing its duties correctly.” To view the letter to the State Comptroller, click HERE.
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Lawmakers Call For Monroe County Ethics Chairman’s Resignation
(Rochester, NY – June 25, 2009) – Democratic County Legislators today called for the resignation of Frank Allkofer as Chairman of the County’s Ethics Committee following his admission that ROBUTRAD workers performed services at his private residence. His involvement in the unfolding federal corruption investigation into the County and the local Republican Party precludes him, and therefore the County Ethics Committee, from impartially hearing ethics complaints involving any County official or employee.
Democratic Leader Harry Bronson (D-Rochester, Brighton & Henrietta) said, “The head of the County Ethics Committee is supposed to be the watchdog to ensure tax dollars are not used to advance the personal interest of public officials. The unique role of the Ethics Committee Chairman demands they be totally impartial and avoid even the appearance of impropriety. While the federal investigation is ongoing, the allegations that favors were done for Republican elected officials and party leaders implicating Mr. Allkofer, among others, cannot go unaddressed. Mr. Allkofer’s explanation that he was duped is simply not enough. Obviously, if as Mr. Allkofer has said he turned the keys to his home over to a contractor with totally unsupervised reign, there must be a significant level of relationship that existed. Simply put, there are far too many unanswered questions to permit Mr. Allkofer to remain on this County’s Ethics Committee.”
Democrats highlighted several areas where questions remain unanswered, including: Did Mr. Allkofer receive or request a quote for the services? Did he solicit quotes from any contractor other than ROBUTRAD? Did he have conversations with Bob Morone or any other County employees about this work? Did he receive an invoice for this work and, if so, by whom and to whom did he pay? Did he pay in cash or check? Was fair market value paid for the work?
Democrats also pointed out that Mr. Allkofer has extensive ties to County Republicans. He served for several years as the Monroe County Parks Director—a position in which he may have supervised, directly or indirectly, certain Robutrad workers. He is also a current Republican member of the Gates Town Board.
Democratic Leader Bronson added, “Mr. Allkofer’s direct connection regarding issues of an on-going Federal investigation implicating County officials and County employees creates, at the very least, an appearance of a conflict, if not an actual conflict with his role on the Ethics Committee.”
Democrats have sent a letter today to Allkofer requesting his resignation from the Ethics Committee. Please find this letter attached.
Poor Fiscal Practices Lead to Monroe County Credit Rating Downgraded
(Rochester, NY – June 23, 2009) – Democratic County Legislators today criticized the Republican Majority for making financial decisions that led the County’s credit rating to be downgraded. Late last week, Fitch rating service downgraded the County’s credit rating to BBB—one level above junk bond status. During talks about the 2009 budget, Democrats offered a plan that would have reduced the County’s spending beginning on July 1, 2009, but this proposal was rejected by the majority on a party line vote. To read the rest of this story, click here.
Lawmakers Call for Legislative Investigation into Robutrad Allegations
(Rochester, NY – June 19, 2009) – Democratic County Legislators today strongly criticized County Executive Maggie Brooks for injecting politics into efforts to uncover the facts about alleged patterns of corruption involving the County Administration. To read the rest of this story, click here.
Democrats: Leave No Stone Unturned in Federal Investigation of County Corruption
Rochester, New York – June 18, 2009. Democrats in the County Legislature are calling the federal criminal complaint filed against former Monroe County Employee and Gates GOP Leader Robert Morone outrageous and deeply troubling. According to the complaint, Morone repeatedly falsified pay records, stole County property and ordered employees on the County payroll to work on non-County jobs, including performing services for the homes belonging to Town of Gates politicians, work on Republican political campaigns and provide services to the staff at the Monroe County Republican Party. To read the rest of this story, click here.
