The latest audit report for the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority has been released.

To learn more and read the full report you can find it above. 

Executive Director of ECGRA, Perry Wood, said: Validation is in the process and the policies. At the end of the day, it shows that we’ve created a fair, open, and transparent process."

Perry Wood also said: "For the last two years, we’ve been pushing the county executive to put a reconciliation process in place because they owe us money."

Senator Dan Laughlin said, in part: "Concerns were raised over the handling of Erie County Gaming Revenue funds, and I believed it was important to take a closer look. I'm pleased the report confirms that ECGRA is in compliance with the law."

County Executive Brenton Davis said in a statement: "The audit only covered the last two years of operations. The concerns of the County related to loans, operational expenses, Wood's doctoral program tuition and related expenses along with a myriad of other expenses predated the scope of the audit. A lot of questions remain unanswered."

ECGRA has released a statement in response:

Auditor General Tim DeFoor issued a report today showing the Erie County Gaming Revue Authority (ECGRA) is following the letter of
the law. ECGRA Board Chairperson, Kelly Hess issued the following statement regarding the state audit.

“The ECGRA Board of Directors and staff thank Auditor General DeFoor and his staff
for their professionalism and thoroughness throughout the process and in his final
audit findings.


“This audit is a powerful validation of ECGRA. The Auditor General’s findings show
not only that ECGRA has complied with the law, but that our process, rooted in
transparency and excellence, goes beyond the letter of the law. The manner in which
ECGRA – a public authority with a clear mission and unwavering commitment to
transparency – has been treated is not appropriate.


“ECGRA is an exemplary public authority delivering on the legislative promise we
have been charged to enact. We look forward to continuing to lead through impact
investing in partnership with local economic development agencies and the Erie
County communities we proudly serve.


“Under the leadership of Perry Wood, ECGRA has done phenomenon work to
advance the economic and community development goals of Erie County. Now that
the ECGRA model and process have been affirmed by the Auditor General – the
state’s chief fiscal watchdog responsible for using audits to ensure that taxpayer
dollars are spent legally and properly – we hope that these relentless and baseless
attacks will end.”


ECGRA has been working for years to attempt to get the County to recognize and
rectify an underpayment to the gaming authority via its year-end reconciliation
process. The Davis administration’s refusal to distribute gaming funds in accordance
with the law was identified by the Auditor General. The county was ordered by the
Auditor General to pay ECGRA $538,248 for the period of April 1, 2021 through
March 31, 2024.


“Our work has been validated, and we hope that this long-sustained attack against
ECGRA will finally come to an end,” said Perry Wood, Executive Director, ECGRA.
“What began as a baseless fishing expedition to discredit ECGRA is now validation
that ECGRA works.


“ECGRA is something that Erie County should be proud of, and we appreciate the
support of local officials who refused to engage in a public smear campaign and
stood up for our team’s integrity. ECGRA and its dedicated staff will continue to go to
work each day on behalf of Erie County and deliver – just as we have through the last
four administrations.”


The Auditor General’s report noted that in 2022, ECGRA accepted a 2021 closeout
report for a $6,300 grant to Erie Downtown Partnership. In agreement with the
Auditor General’s team, ECGRA is developing a closeout report checklist to ensure
this minor error doesn’t occur again.


The Auditor General’s report was requested by County Executive Brenton Davis, state
Senator Dan Laughlin, and several members of the local state delegation. State
Representative Ryan Bizzaro, did not sign onto the request, calling it a baseless
political attack.