BUFFALO, N.Y. — Western Regional Off-Track Betting in Western New York has selected Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown to be their next president and CEO.
The public benefit corporation board of directors held a special meeting Thursday in Batavia to address the issue.
After an almost five-hour-long executive session, the Western Regional OTB Board unanimously voted Brown into the position on Thursday afternoon just after 4:30 p.m.
Immediately after the vote, the board adjourned and quickly left before many of them, including chairman Dennis Bassett, could answer questions from the media.
Niagara Co. board member Elliott Winter the lone exception and took questions from reporters.
2 On Your Side's Dave McKinley wanted to know what made Mayor Byron Brown uniquely qualified to run the Western Regional OTB.
"He oversees 3,000 employees with a budget of $600 million, worked in the same capacity for the past 20 years, and we think he could be a valuable asset to the organization," Winter said.
2 On Your Side's Nate Benson followed up and asked whether it was a concern that Mayor Brown could potentially leave office with the city facing a $50 million to $60 million budget deficit.
"Not really," Winter responded after a long pause.
"You just said what a great job he did running a large corporation, what does that say?" McKinley asked.
"Actually, I have no other comment at this time," Winter said.
Former CEO Henry Wojtaszek will walk away on a buyout package totaling close to $300,000.
While he was on site for the interview, Mayor Brown seemingly left the premises and didn't take any questions from reporters.
Mayor Brown sent out a statement Thursday evening saying "the Western New York Off Track Betting Corporation Board of Directors voted unanimously today to offer me the position of President and CEO. I appreciate the vote of confidence in me and my record of success as Mayor of Buffalo. At this point, a contract still needs to be negotiated before the position is accepted. I look forward to meeting with the Chairman of the Board to start the process toward final approval of a contract. In the meantime, I will continue to serve in my capacity as Mayor."
If Brown takes the job, Buffalo Common Council President Christopher Scanlon will become mayor.
Secrecy surrounding Wojtaszek's departure and the seemingly rapid ascension of Byron Brown to the position has drawn concern from lawmakers over corruption claims within the organization.
New York State Senator Sean Ryan released this statement to 2 On Your Side just before 5 p.m. Thursday:
“Should he accept the offer, Byron Brown’s departure from the Mayor’s Office will be the beginning of a new era for the City of Buffalo. For the first time in nearly two decades, Buffalo will have the chance to address our many challenges with a clean slate and fresh eyes.
"It is my hope that he will commit to cleaning up the culture of corruption that has defined our local OTB for many years now. He can start by calling for the board to rescind the illegal golden parachutes approved earlier this year.
"The City of Buffalo faces many challenges going forward: a fiscal crisis, a housing shortage, neighborhoods in need of investment, and much more. If we focus on addressing these critical issues, I have no doubt we can overcome all of these challenges and create a brighter future for the people of Buffalo.”
Assemblymember Monica Wallace, who has also been critical of the Western Regional OTB also called on Brown, if he accepts the position, to curb any perceived corruption.
Wallace said: "While the leadership at Western Regional Off-Track Betting may have changed, the issue with the $500,000 severance packages has not. These golden parachutes are still illegal and a flagrant waste of public dollars, and the board should vote immediately to rescind them. I continue to urge the New York State Attorney General and Inspector General to investigate the buyouts and activities of OTB, regardless of who is president and CEO. OTB has a culture of wasteful spending at best and possible corruption at worst. OTB revenue is intended to benefit the public, not line the pockets of top executives and board members.”