By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – City Engineer Daniel Kreuz was fired Friday by Mayor Byron Brown. The firing comes a week after Kreuz pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges that he accepted trips and other gifts from companies doing business with the city.
Brown says the firing is not in response to criticism that he should have immediately terminated Kreuz following his guilty plea. The Mayor said he needed to do his "homework" to make sure personnel procedures were properly followed.
Brown also announced Friday that he will hire an inspector general to investigate claims of impropriety in city government. The new position is part of what he is calling his Public Integrity and Accountability Plan.
Brown said the new plan will ensure integrity, transparency, accountability, and ethical behavior in City Hall as well as enhance public confidence in the employees of the City of Buffalo.
"Today I am giving fair warning to anyone within city government or who does business with the city that we are watching you and if fraud is detected, we will catch you and punish you," Brown said.
The Inspector General will be charged with:
1) Preventing, detecting investigating, and correcting fraud in city government
2) Immediately assessing each and every area of city government where the potential for fraud exists and develop policies and internal controls to ensure that fraud cannot and will not will immediately assess each and every area of city government where the potential for fraud exists and develop policies and internal controls to ensure that fraud cannot and will not happen in the first place.
3) If, in spite of our best efforts there is any allegation of fraud, the Inspector General will investigate, detect, and correct it.
4) The city's Inspector General will work with each and every branch of city government and any person doing business with the city to ensure his or her efforts are comprehensive and integrated.
In addition to the Office of Inspector General, a "Government Integrity Hotline" will be established where City Hall employees and citizens will be able to report any suspicion of fraud. Tips will be held in the strictest of confidence.
The Mayor will also conduct additional comprehensive and immediate ethics training for all city employees in a management or policy making positions, or that have access and influence in city procurement, contracting, or financial reporting and implementation systems.