Niagara County Democrats demand probe of political news release

The leader of the Niagara County Legislature's Democratic minority on Sunday demanded an investigation of how and why the county's public information officer issued a news release touting the re-election campaign of Legislature Chairman W. Keith McNall, R-Lockport.

Legislator Dennis F. Virtuoso, D-Niagara Falls, called for a special Legislature meeting to discuss the situation, and said that Sheriff James R. Voutour should confiscate Public Information Officer Douglas Hoover's computer and cellphone in case they contain evidence.

"If someone ordered (Hoover) to do this, they're just as guilty as he is," Virtuoso said Monday. "It's obvious it's an ethics violation. We all know that."

"McNall Announces Re-Election Bid" was the header on a news release sent from Hoover's county email account Sept. 30. County regulations prohibit the use of county time or resources to promote a political campaign.

Read more: https://buffalonews.com/2019/10/07/niagara-county-democrats-demand-probe-of-political-news-release/