Changes are already being made at The Hatch restaurant and other Erie Basin Marina operations, according to Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown. A recent audit shows the contractor, Brand-On Services, over the last five years shortchanged the city nearly $350,000. The mayor says the audit raised serious concerns.
Brown says the department of Public Works is already implementing changes and the marina contract is being rebid.
"Some additional internal controls will be put in place and an employee that was in place to oversee those operations will be transferred to another responsibility and a new person will be brought in to oversee those operations," Brown said Friday.
Brown's Republican challenger, Sergio Rodriguez, was quick to criticize, saying the operator, Brand-On's Michael Wolasz, has donated $1,200 to the mayor's campaign. Brown says was unaware because he can't keep track of his "thousands and thousands" of contributors.
"That has no bearing on this situation," Brown said, in response.
Brand-On has yet to respond to the audit, released Thursday by city Comptroller Mark Schroeder.
