DiNapoli audits Niagara Co. treasurer

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) - State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says former Niagara County Treasurer David Broderick did not take the appropriate measures to safeguard assets, when he administered estates for people who did not have documented wills, or had family who were unable to agree on the transfer of their loved ones assets.

DiNapli says Broderick did a number of things that were suspect, such as selling assets below their value. In one case a $460,000 estate was sold for only $270,000. In another instance, a vintage car worth nearly $40,000 was sold for just under $10,000. The comptroller also says Broderick did not seek competitive bidding to select a real estate agency when selling off people estates, and that Broderick actually employed family.

DiNapoli said, "We found no evidence that the administrator used a competitive process to select and agency further the administrators wife worked with the agency and was listed as the selling agent for two of the three properties, which would have resulted in a commission to her."

As far as criminal charges being filed against the former treasurer David Broderick. DiNapoli says that is not his department. His findings now however, have been handed over to the Niagara County District Attorney's Office.