BATAVIA, N.Y. — Former City of Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown spoke of reform and transparency Wednesday while attending his first set of committee meetings as the new head of Western Regional Off-Track Betting.
Brown's first act of the meetings was to release his employment contract, which 2 On Your Side asked for through a Freedom of Information Law request.
The contract lays out a three-year deal and a salary of $295,000 for the former mayor, with raises contingent upon performance up to $305,000 and $315,000 in the following years.
Brown would also be allotted a $800 a month car allowance.
In regards to severance, the new President and CEO said his contract includes "meaningful reform in comparison to his predecessors. He would be eligible for up to four months of salary if he was terminated by the board without cause or if he resigned for good reason.
Western Regional OTB's former President and CEO Henry Wojtaszek and two other high-level members earned massive payouts when their contracts were amended by the board back in July.
When Wojtaszek leaves at the end of the year, he will be paid one year’s salary of $287,000.
"Working with the board chair Mr. Bassett, we decided I would not take that type of severance provision. ... We thought that was an important and meaningful reform with me coming in, and I was happy to agree with the chairman to reduce the severance that previous employees have enjoyed," Brown said.
In between meetings, Brown was asked and confirmed that former City of Buffalo employees Mike DeGeorge, who served as communications director, and Bernadette Taylor are being considered for roles at Western Regional OTB.
He also said former Deputy Mayor Steve Casey would be in line for a possible promotion. Casey started part-time at OTB in September. Brown was asked about Casey pleading guilty to a federal wire fraud charge back in 2021 and his involvement at a new organization that handles a lot of money.
"When you look at Steve Casey's actual record he has no record. He has no prohibition to him being able to work here as I understand it he was hired prior to me being hired and he has a gaming license that he got prior to me getting one," Brown said.
The former Mayor denied any involvement in Casey being hired.
When asked how the former city hall employees play into a larger restructuring plan also going on at Western Regional OTB, he said ultimately the board will decide. Brown stated that the restructuring proposal does include one new position, communications director.
The full board meets on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Batavia Downs and the restructuring plan is on the agenda.
According to a copy of the restructuring resolution shared with 2 On Your Side, if approved by the board the plan would be to create ten positions at Western Regional OTB, only three however would have direct hiring responsibility left to the President and CEO.
Those roles are Chief of Staff, Executive Business Administrator, and Director of Communications.
"Good work is being done here. This is a very profitable organization that delivers revenue to 17 municipalities in Western New York. Want to work to establish confidence in the organization," Brown said.