By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – A new lawsuit was filed Thursday against an Buffalo office furniture company that is accused of overcharging Erie County.
State Attorney General Eliot Spitzer says the state suit seeks the recovery of $500,000 in alleged overcharges by Buffalo Office Interiors. The county had contracted with the company to install modular workstations throughout the Rath Building. Buffalo Office Interiors is owned by James Spano, a supporter of County Executive Joel Giambra.
The filing of the state lawsuit follows an investigation by the Attorney General's Public Integrity Unit. Documents were analyzed and interviews were held this those involved.
Neither Spitzer's office nor Giambra would comment beyond a written statement. In it, Spitzer said a similar suit filed by the county is now part of the state action. Giambra said the county needs the most appropriate public attorney to pursue the matter and that's the attorney general's office.