Highway department under investigation

COLLINS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Nobody investigates like News 4. Another local Highway Department is under a microscope.

Town of Collins officials say they have received information alleging employee misconduct and misuse of equipment and supplies.

The allegations center around the town's highway department.

Subpoenas have been issued to five employees, one of them is Town Highway Superintendent Francis Joseph Gernatt.

I tried talking to Gernatt Wednesday, but he declined comment.

The internal probe is being conducted by Attorney Scott Lupiani, who was hired by the town as a special investigator.

Lupiani said, "Our hope is that we can finish off the substantive part of the investigation within the next couple of weeks. And we still have one more person to talk to. Hopefully we can accomplish that within the next couple of weeks. There are some issues with that but we're trying to work that through. And then after that it's a matter of putting together the information, piecing together a report. Adding exhibits, things like that. And then sending that to the Town Board for their review."

Erie County District Attorney Frank Clark tells News 4 his office is aware of the allegations, and is conducting a preliminary inquiry.