Auditor General Confirms ECGRA’s Accounting, Finds Davis Administration Error
County Ordered to Pay ECGRA $538,248
Auditor General Tim DeFoor issued a report today showing the Erie County Gaming Revue Authority (ECGRA) is following the letter of the law. ECGRA Board Chairperson, Kelly Hess issued the following statement regarding the state audit.
“The ECGRA Board of Directors and staff thank Auditor General DeFoor and his staff for their professionalism and thoroughness throughout the process and in his final audit findings.
“This audit is a powerful validation of ECGRA. The Auditor General’s findings show not only that ECGRA has complied with the law, but that our process, rooted in transparency and excellence, goes beyond the letter of the law. The manner in which ECGRA – a public authority with a clear mission and unwavering commitment to transparency – has been treated is not appropriate.
“ECGRA is an exemplary public authority delivering on the legislative promise we have been charged to enact. We look forward to continuing to lead through impact investing in partnership with local economic development agencies and the Erie County communities we proudly serve.
“Under the leadership of Perry Wood, ECGRA has done phenomenon work to advance the economic and community development goals of Erie County. Now that the ECGRA model and process have been affirmed by the Auditor General – the state’s chief fiscal watchdog responsible for using audits to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent legally and properly – we hope that these relentless and baseless attacks will end.”
ECGRA has been working for years to attempt to get the County to recognize and rectify an underpayment to the gaming authority via its year-end reconciliation process. The Davis administration’s refusal to distribute gaming funds in accordance with the law was identified by the Auditor General. The county was ordered by the Auditor General to pay ECGRA $538,248 for the period of April 1, 2021 through March 31, 2024.
“Our work has been validated, and we hope that this long-sustained attack against ECGRA will finally come to an end,” said Perry Wood, Executive Director, ECGRA. “What began as a baseless fishing expedition to discredit ECGRA is now validation that ECGRA works.
“ECGRA is something that Erie County should be proud of, and we appreciate the support of local officials who refused to engage in a public smear campaign and stood up for our team’s integrity. ECGRA and its dedicated staff will continue to go to work each day on behalf of Erie County and deliver – just as we have through the last four administrations.”
The Auditor General’s report noted that in 2022, ECGRA accepted a 2021 closeout report for a $6,300 grant to Erie Downtown Partnership. In agreement with the Auditor General’s team, ECGRA is developing a closeout report checklist to ensure this minor error doesn’t occur again.
The Auditor General’s report was requested by County Executive Brenton Davis, state Senator Dan Laughlin, and several members of the local state delegation. State Representative Ryan Bizzaro, did not sign onto the request, calling it a baseless political attack.
