(Buffalo, NY, January 7, 2008) - - Erie County's Comptroller is releasing a scathing audit of the Erie County Medical Center. News 4's senior correspondent Rich Newberg reports, ECMC leaders are calling the audit a waste of taxpayer's money.

Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Comptroller: "They tried to hide a payment so the public wouldn't know about it."

An audit by the Office of Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz found, in part, that the Erie County Medical Center tried to conceal a payment for this commercial by a citizens group.

TV Ad: What happens when corporate chief take control of a community hospital?

It attacks Kaleida Health and supports ECMC in any possible merger with Kaleida.

Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Comptroller: "I don't have a problem with them trying to influence that. I do have a problem with them trying to hide the payment."

ECMC's response about the commercial?

Tom Quatroche, ECMC Spokesperson: "Every document was provided. Every document was duly noted,and nothing unethical was done."

Poloncarz's audit also said ECMC's senior management overrode internal controls including an executive compensation package that had "no evidence of full board approval..." and that the hospital violated reporting requirements including board minutes and financial data.

Mark Poloncarz, Erie County Comptroller: "I don't' believe that any of the things are illegal. I think it's fair to say they're unethical."

Rich Newberg: "ECMC says there are appearances of ethical breaches of conduct on the part of Mr. Poloncarz, and that the audit may be compromised."

Tom Quatroche, ECMC Spokesperson: "We believe Mr. Poloncarz violated ethical conduct when he did two things. One, when he threatened to sue ECMC in September, he removed himself as an independent auditor, and secondly, we have reason to believe that he had conversations with our competitors."

There never was a lawsuit file. And, Mr. Poloncarz told me he never discussed any aspects of the audit with Kaleida.

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