Former Buffalo Common Council member sentenced
for theft of funds
BUFFALO - U.S. Attor-ney William Hochul Jr. an-nounced Wednesday that former City of Buffalo Common Council member Brian Davis, 43, of Buffalo, who pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison by Chief U.S. District Judge William M. Skretny. The defendant was also ordered to pay $48,237 in restitution.
Davis stole $48,237 in Buffalo discretionary funds to his own use and the use of others. As a Common Council member from 2006 to 2010, he was responsible for distributing discretionary funds for public benefit purposes. Instead, he funneled city funds through not-for-profit pass through agencies and personal friends, and ultimately to himself.
The evidence showed that in 2006, Davis sent discretionary funds to the Com-munity Action Organization (CAO), of which he was president of at the time. He then directed the CAO to send those funds to the Pratt Willert Community Center which wrote checks to such fictitious organizations as the Ellicott Fun Day and Ellicott Senior Prom.
In 2007 and 2008, Davis sent funds to the Back to Basics Organization. The defendant then directed the organization to send checks to friends or other individuals to whom Davis owed money. In one instance, Davis urged one individual to cash a $5,000 check and keep half of the money.
Gowanda Police
Scott W. White, 47, of Route 438 was charged with drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest on Aug. 17. Patrol responded to the report of a suspicious vehicle on Mechanic Street at 7:10 p.m. and found the vehicle full of intoxicated subjects drinking alcohol. All subjects were requested to exit the vehicle but White became belligerent and upon exiting attempted to fight police. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Todd J. Green, 27, of Versailles was charged with illegally tinted windows, felony driving while intoxicated and felony aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle on Aug. 19. Police observed Green's vehicle at 3:45 a.m. which had what appeared to be illegally tinted widows while on routine patrol. Green appeared to be intoxicated and failed sobriety tests. He was taken to Gowanda Police where his BAC was found to be a .17. A DMV computer check revealed he had previously been convicted for aggravated unlicensed operation and DWI making these charges felonies. It was also found his license was revoked. He was released on an appearance ticket.
Harold E. Smith, 47, of Commercial Street was charged with third-degree criminal mischief and resisting arrest Aug. 20. At 12:10 a.m. patrol responded to the report of a combative subject causing damage to a building on Commercial Street. When confronted by patrol, Smith became combative, resisting arrest and tried to fight police. He was arraigned in Town of Persia Court and transported to the Cattaraugus County Jail in lieu of $750 bail.
Chrisinia M. McRae, 26, of Buffalo was charged with facilitating aggravated unlicensed operation and lending a vehicle without an interlock system on Aug. 21. During the investigation of a driving while intoxicated and aggravated unlicensed operation arrest of another subject, it was found that McRae had loaned her vehicle to this subject. The subject was mandated to have an alcohol interlock system following a prior aggravated DWI arrest. McRae was released on an appearance ticket.
Jason E. Ring, 22, of Springville was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana on Aug. 23. At 1:30 a.m. police observed a suspicious vehicle parked on Palmer Street during routine patrol. Police found two subjects in this vehicle and found Ring to be in possession of a baggie containing marijuana. Ring was released on an appearance ticket for the Town of Persia Court.
Kristina L. Ross, 33, of Collins was charged with disorderly conduct and unlawful possession of marijuana on Aug. 28. At 8:59 p.m. police responded to a Walnut Street residence for the report of an unwanted guest. Patrol to find Ross, who was highly intoxicated, refusing to leave the residence. Ross began to swear and yell profanities at anyone in the area, including police. It was also discovered Ross was in possession of a small amount of marijuana and a marijuana pipe. She was released on an appearance ticket for Town of Persia Court.
Sherry L. Kettle, 45, of Richardson Road was charged with driving while intoxicated on Aug. 31. At 12:31 a.m. patrol responded to the report of a disturbance at a village business on Buffalo Street. Kettle was stopped by patrol as she exited this establishment. She exhibited signs of intoxicated and then failed several sobriety tests. She was transported to Gowanda Police where her BAC was found to be a .18. She was additionally charged with aggravated driving while intoxicated as her BAC was .18 or higher. She was released on an appearance ticket for the Town of Collins Court.
Brian Longboat, 21, of Buffalo was charged with fifth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of marijuana on Aug. 31. At 8:15 p.m. Longboat was a passenger in a stopped vehicle on Buffalo Street. During this traffic stop, Longboat was found to be in possession of 1.2 grams of cocaine and 8.7 grams of marijuana. He was released on an appearance ticket for the Town of Collins Court.
