Published: May 12, 2008 10:21 pm            

LEGISLATURE: Board of Inquiry assembled

Group of six lawmakers to investigate coroner’s business dealings

The Board of Inquiry formed to investigate the business dealings of Niagara County Coroner James Joyce won’t have to look too far for legal advice.

Legislature Chairman Bill Ross, C-Wheatfield, on Monday announced the makeup of the board which will include six county lawmakers, the majority of which have legal backgrounds.

Board members include four lawyers — Majority Leader Richard Updegrove, R-Lockport, Paul Wojtaszek, R-North Tonawanda and Niagara Falls Democrats Jason Cafarella and Kyle Andrews — and a fifth member, Falls Democrat Renae Kimble, who went through law school. Rounding out the board is John Ceretto, R-Lewiston.

Legislators voted unanimously last week to form the board which will attempt to determine if Joyce violated any laws or ethical standards as coroner while enjoying a business relationship with the owners of four local spas implicated in a prostitution ring.

Ross said the board’s first order of business will be to hold an organizational meeting to establish procedures for operation. Ross indicated that he planned to nominate Wojtaszek to lead the group during its first meeting.

While some had speculated that Ross would use his position as Legislature chairman to create a seventh seat on the board for himself, he indicated on Monday that he had no intentions of doing so.

“I have six competent people and certainly they are people of integrity,” Ross said. “I’m sure the six of them will do the right thing.”

        

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