“The news that Dunkirk’s former treasurer, a public official who served in that role for more than two decades, has been charged with stealing over $120,000 from the very people he was entrusted to serve is deeply troubling and profoundly disappointing.

Taxpayers expect and deserve honesty, integrity, and professionalism from those tasked with managing their hard-earned money. To learn that someone in such a position of trust allegedly abused that responsibility for personal gain is a betrayal of the public and a stain on our local government.

What makes this even more disturbing is that this is now the second City of Dunkirk official to be charged with stealing public or charitable funds. In both cases, the misconduct appears to have gone undetected for years.

As the State Comptroller’s Office has made clear, Dunkirk’s financial records are disorganized and incomplete. When a city’s books are in that condition, it is impossible to say with confidence what else may be buried in them or how many other failures have yet to come to light. That reality makes this case even more alarming.

This latest revelation only reinforces the fact that Dunkirk’s problems are not isolated or incidental. They are deep-rooted and systemic. The city’s finances are in disarray, and a lack of effective oversight and internal controls has allowed mismanagement and, allegedly, criminal conduct to fester for far too long.

If Dunkirk is ever going to turn the corner and build a stronger future, it must be able to attract and retain businesses and families who are willing to invest in this community. That simply cannot happen unless people have confidence that the city’s finances are being managed responsibly, transparently, and honestly. Trust in government is not optional. It is a prerequisite for growth.

That is why we continue to believe that a state financial control board is not only warranted, but necessary. Dunkirk needs strong, independent oversight to restore order, rebuild trust, and finally put the city on a path toward stability and long-term solvency. The people and taxpayers of Dunkirk deserve nothing less.”  

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