Published: April 23, 2008 02:30 am            

NIAGARA COUNTY: Ethics panel to review Somerset councilman's activities

The Niagara County Ethics Commission has been asked to review a complaint lodged against a Town of Somerset councilman who has been accused of using his position as captain with the county corrections department to solicit contributions for his elections campaign.

The complaint, lodged by Thomas R. Drehs, a deployment sergeant with the corrections department, contends that Daniel Engert, a Republican councilman from Somerset who works as administrative captain in the county Sheriff’s Department’s corrections division, violated the code of ethics by encouraging fellow employees to participate in fundraising activities for his council campaign.

In addition, the complaint alleges that Engert allowed his brother, Sgt. Darren Engert, to work overtime even though employees in his brother’s position are contractually barred from being paid to work extra hours.

“This reeks of nepotism,” Drehs wrote in his formal complaint, a copy of which was obtained Tuesday by Greater Niagara Newspapers. “Or, as I like to refer to it, “the friends and family plan.”

When reached by telephone Tuesday night, Drehs declined comment, saying only that the county Ethics Committee convened Tuesday afternoon to consider the matter, but could not take any action because there were not enough members in attendance to constitute a quorum, or the minimum number needed to legally conduct the business of the group.

Citing the advice of his attorney, Daniel Engert said he, too, was unable to talk openly about the matter at this time. He added that he looked forward to presenting his side of the story when the Ethics Committee reconvenes to consider the issue next Tuesday.

“I certainly look forward to presenting the facts to the Board of Ethics,” Engert said.

In his complaint, Drehs alleges that Councilman Engert violated a section of the county Code of Ethics that bars county officers and employees from “directly or indirectly” compelling any non-elected officer or employee of the county to participate in an elections ethics ...

continued from page 1a

campaign or to contribute to a party, election fund or candidate. The rule also bars the solicitation of campaign funds on county property.

Drehs’ complaint suggests that Daniel Engert, who ran in both the primary election in September and the general election in November, thanked him verbally and in writing for giving him $25 for a fundraiser. Drehs suggests that he made the contribution following an Aug. 2 telephone call that he received at work from a fellow employee who said it would be in Drehs’ “best interest” to purchase a ticket to an upcoming fundraiser for Engert.

Attached to Drehs’ complaint was a hand-written note he says he got from Daniel Engert, indicating how much he appreciated the donation and that the money would be used for signs.

“I was not the only individual at the NCSD approached on this manner,” Drehs alleges in his complaint. “Subpoena the campaign records and compare the list of names to a list of NCSD employees. I am sure you will find many matches. If you were to question those individuals under oath, I am sure many would corroborate my story. One of Captain Engert’s strong points is his attention to detail which is strongly supported by a paper trail. I have been told that there is a ‘list’ of those who gave and those who didn’t. I suspect he was running his entire campaign from his office at the NCSD. I am sure if you subpoena the records from the computer and the phone in his office you will find additional evidence.”

During last year’s election season, Engert aligned himself with current Town of Somerset Supervisor Richard Meyers and Town of Somerset council candidate Rob Degnan, with all three arguing that it was time to end the town’s ongoing battle with its largest taxpayer, AES Somerset, and move on with new ideas and initiatives.

Records on file with the New York State Board of Elections show that Engert’s campaign finance committee, Friends of Dan Engert, took in $1,982 last year. Records show that he received one itemized contribution of $150 on Oct. 30 from the Committee to Elect George D. Maziarz State Senate. Records also show that his campaign received seven other campaign contributions — all unitemized — last year, with the largest being $1,562.

Contact reporter Mark Scheer at 282-2311, ext. 2250

        

• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.