Fired HR head fires back at City Hall

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - She was fired after an audit showed her department paid health insurance for employees who were no longer living. On Thursday, Karla Thomas had the floor at City Hall, and she held little back.

News 4's Al Vaughters has the details.

Mayor Byron Brown actually fired Karla Thomas as Human Resources Commissioner earlier this month. But by law Thomas is allowed to hold onto her job, pending a due process hearing and that was underway Thursday.

In an opening statement Thomas accused Mayor Brown of not standing up for her as she faced attack after from the Common Council over millions of dollars of medical insurance premiums paid out for dead citizens workers.

The council had other issues but the entire hearing, focused on the insurance issues.

Thomas' attorney, James Schwann said, "The City itself has known for years that the City did not utilize such an index. And for the Mayor to sit here and claim that this is all the responsibility of Karla Thomas, I suggest to the Mayor that you assume some responsibility."

After a four hour hearing, the judge adjourned the hearing until October 11tth.  Ironically even after this hearing is concluded, Mayor Brown still has the final say if Karla Thomas gets to keep her job.