By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – A public housing official in Buffalo is facing federal charges of bribery, extortion and witness tampering.
John Fischer Jr. of Getzville was serving as the administrator of capital improvements at the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority. He was arrested by the FBI Thursday at the Housing Authority headquarters on Perry Street.
Fischer arrest came as a shock to leaders of the BMHA. He has been working with the housing authority for 20 years. But an FBI probe alleges that Fischer used his position to intimidate a B-M-H-A contractor to make roof repairs on a private home in Sanborn.
An affidavit says Fischer offered to issue "change orders" in pending BMHA contracts in order to reimburse the contractor for the private work.
The charges also allege that he attempted to persuade potential witnesses against him after he became aware of the FBI investigation.
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