HR head fired over fallout from audit

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown has fired one of his commissioners who oversaw a division that made costly mistakes at the expense of taxpayers.

The City Hall shakeup comes just one day after the city law department issued a report to Mayor Byron Brown.

"And less than 24 hours after receiving that report, reading that report, I made the decision to notify Commissioner Thomas that I was terminating her," said Mayor Brown.

City auditors first sounded the alarm about potential deficiencies.

City Comptroller Andrew Sanfilippo said, "It's pervasive in the breakdown of how they manage themselves down there."

It was later disclosed that the city paid out around $2 million in health insurance premiums for hundreds of deceased workers. Mayor Brown says he ordered Karla Thomas to take corrective action.

Mayor Brown said, "One of the most important actions to purchase the social security death index, so that we would have an up-to-date listing of people who have died, so that deceased persons could be removed from the city's insurance rolls. That action was not taken."

Buffalo Common Councilmember David Rivera said, "It's the right decision."

Niagara District Councilmember Rivera says the city should now conduct a nationwide search for a new human resources commissioner.

"Hopefully the next commissioner that we get is somebody that has a track record, experience, credentials, dealing with human resources," said Rivera.

Thomas will be given a hearing on September 16th, which is required by city charter. Mayor Brown says Thomas, who makes around $90,000 a year, would not be paid for the remaining four plus years of her contract.