BUFFALO, N.Y. – Erie County's Commissioner of Social Services resigned from his position suddenly, effective December 28.
In an email sent to County Executive Mark Poloncarz and other officials, Al Dirschberger said he resigned for "personal reasons."
At a news conference late Thursday afternoon, Poloncarz confirmed Dirschberger is under investigation by Albany Police for an "alleged serious incident" involving a "subordinate employee." That alleged incident occurred earlier this month at a conference in Albany, Poloncarz said.
Poloncarz said an internal investigation revealed that Dirschberger's conduct violated county policies, leading Poloncarz to ask for Dirschberger's resignation. Poloncarz said he could not reveal which policies were broken.
Had Dirschberger not resigned, Poloncarz said he would have pursued removal proceedings.
"I'm angry, to put it mildly, about this entire situation. This is not something you should have to deal with," Poloncarz said. "But once we realized we had an issue and a problem, we went about it to deal with it."
Dirschberger has not been charged with a crime or arrested.
"Mr. Dirschberger has not been arrested by the Albany Police Department," public information officer Steven Smith said in an emailed response to 2 On Your Side. "If and when we're able to comment on any investigations that may involve Mr. Dirschberger we will do so."
Cecilia Walsh, a spokesperson for the Albany County District Attorney's Office, confirmed the existence of an investigation but could not offer additional details.
"We are aware of the allegations against Al Dirschberger and an investigation is open and pending at this time. As there have been no arrests in relation to this matter, no further comments are presently available," Walsh said in an email.
Regardless of the status of the police investigation, Poloncarz said he felt compelled to demand Dirschberger's resignation following the county's internal investigation, as well as Dirschberger's responses to questions in a conference call on Thursday morning.
"If Mr. Dirschberger broke the law, he needs to be held responsible, but that's for the Albany County District Attorney's Office and the people of the state of New York to make that determination," Poloncarz said. "I was making a determination based on what we believed was his violation of county policy."
First Deputy of the Social Services Department Marie Cannon will serve as Acting Commissioner until a permanent replacement is found.
The county says a search for Dirschberger's replacement will begin in early 2018.