BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corporation will meet next Thursday.
The special board meeting is expected to focus on who will be the next president and CEO.
Current CEO Henry Wojtaszek is expected to walk away with a sweetheart buyout package totaling close to $300,000.
A pair of Western New York state lawmakers want to stop it.
State Assemblywoman Monica Wallace told 2 On Your Side that she believes "it's illegal and I think it's outrageous. I think it's absolutely outrageous. It's an irresponsible waste of money, and it's really important to remember that every dollar that is wasted from the OTB executives and board members is $1 less to help offset the costs for residents of Erie County and the City of Buffalo, residents of Erie County and the City of Buffalo are members of the OTB."
OTB is a public benefit corporation.
Wallace and State Senator Sean Ryan sent a letter to the state inspector general calling for an investigation, claiming that "the severance packages constitute an unconstitutional gift of public funds."
It also alluded to state legislation that says no public benefit corporation should get golden parachute payouts.
According to Ryan, "the state law prohibits them (OTB board) from doing what they're doing, but they want to do it anyway, and we want to bring state authorities in to conduct a thorough investigation."
Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown is believed to be a finalist for the top job. If he gets the job, the Buffalo Common Council president Christopher Scanlon would become mayor.
Ryan was asked about his interest in the city's top job, and he said "I'm really happy where I am, serving the people of the Senate 61st District."
2 On Your Side found on the State Board of Elections website that just last month, he registered a new campaign commit that lists the office to pursue as "undeclared."