By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Karla Thomas has been officially removed from her job as Human Resources commissioner at City Hall Monday.
"I have today terminated Karla Thomas for inadequate performance from the position of Commissioner of Human Resources for the City of Buffalo. The termination of employment takes effect immediately," said Mayor Brown.
Mayor Byron Brown terminated Thomas from her job Monday after a review of hearing transcripts and a recommendation issued by hearing officer Michael Battle.
Battle's recommendation justified Thomas's firing by the Mayor. The Mayor issued termination papers to Thomas in September for her failure to clear up health benefits paid to deceased workers.
"This action was based on evidence that as Commissioner of Human Resources, Ms. Thomas failed to follow through on a specific directive I made to her on January 11, 2010, which subsequently cost the taxpayers of the City of Buffalo $839,688.18 in insurance premiums that the city paid for individuals that were not entitled to them and cannot be recovered by the city," said Mayor Brown.
Battle's recommendation said Thomas did not adequately perform her duties as commissioner. "Mr. Battle issued a Report and Recommendation to me dated January 7, 2011 stating that "Ms. Thomas did not adequately perform her duties as Commissioner of Human Resources she failed to ensure that all the Divisions in her Department operated properly. Ms. Thomas's failure to perform her duties constitutes inadequate performance or other cause' that justifies the Mayor in imposing any lawful penalty, up to and including removing Ms. Thomas from the position of Human Resources ," stateed Mayor Brown.
Thomas and her attorney were served with the Mayor's written decision for termination Monday.