LACKAWANNA, NY - There is a personnel matter brewing inside Lackawanna City Hall and now the police chief is suing the city. James Michel Jr. is suing for disciplinary action taken against him over his pay.
Chief Michel's suit boils down to back payment for sick time, vacation time and longevity benefits. The city council president Henry Pirowski started a probe over payments to the chief between $36,000-$45,000.
According to Michel, "in my opinion I took nothing that was not offered to me as my terms and conditions of working for the city of Lackawanna, so no, I do not consider I was overpaid in any manner."
Attorney Howard Cohen is representing the police chief. He says when Michel took the job his compensation and benefits were based on the General Municipal Law 207. It allows the base salary or other compensations to be commensurate with the highest ranking subordinate to the head of the police department with salary and benefits to increase by at least the same dollar amount of the base salary increase received by the next subordinate police officer.
"He has not done anything wrong or improper, he didn't take any money that didn't belong to him through his own salary," Cohen told reporters inside the law office of Gross, Schuman, Brizdle & Gilfillan on Monday afternoon.
Calls to the Lackawanna Mayor and Council President were not returned.
Chief Michel has held the position since 2009. He's been with the department for 35-years.
