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STAMFORD, Conn. Mayor Michael Pavia disciplined three people who played parts in the diversion of scrap metal revenue in city government after an investigation showed there was no criminal intent.
Regardless of whether procedures for scrapped metal have been common practice for years, regardless of how the cash was used, and regardless there was no criminal intent, this practice was wrong, lacked accountability and allowed the unaccountable handling of public monies, Pavia wrote in an opinion piece.
The mayor suspended Director of Operations Ernie Orgera for three weeks without pay beginning Aug. 1 within a predetermined schedule, the article said. Pavia's office is also looking to initiate disciplinary hearings for former operations foremen/supervisors Doug Hoyt and Peter Iannacone. Bad management is not a crime, but it cannot be tolerated by city government, Pavia said.
Orgera had left for the day Tuesday when TheDailyStamford.com called his office for a comment.
Investigations into the diversion of scrap metal sales were conducted by the Stamford Police Department and Kroll, a team of private investigators hired by the administration and the Board of Finance. About $15,000 in scrap metal funds over the past five years had been diverted to petty cash for a variety of operations uses, including purchasing parts, supplies and materials, and for social events, the two groups said at a finance board meeting July 19.
All of the information found by the police and Kroll was sent to David Cohen, state's attorney for the Stamford/Norwalk Judicial District who decided not to prosecute anyone in the operations office.
Pavia also referred the matter to Acting Schools Superintendent Winifred Hamilton because Board of Education employees may have also diverted revenue into petty cash accounts.
Do you think Mayor Michael Pavia handled the situation correctly? What would you have done? Share your thoughts and opinions below or send them to reporter Anthony Buzzeo, tbuzzeo@TheDailyStamford.com.
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