Steuben sheriff's lawsuit seeks to learn what legislature said in executive sessions
In the latest case development regarding the Steuben County sheriff's liability and legal fees, a court decision has permitted the review of legislators' conversations shared during executive sessions prior to the Sept. 25, 2023 vote.
The Steuben County Legislature voted 10-7 to repeal a local law that provided for the defense and indemnification of the sheriff position. Steuben County Sheriff Jim Allard has challenged that, resulting in a temporary restraining order on the decision.
The State Supreme Court met in early January and Allard’s attorney, Karlee S. Bolanos challenged whether information was shared or threats made during the Steuben County Legislature's executive sessions before the vote.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Jason Cook Monday granted Bolanos the ability to depose Steuben County Legislator Hilda Lando regarding statements made in executive sessions prior to the vote to not indemnify Allard’s position.
The date of the deposition has not yet been set, but Lando said she will not answer questions about what was discussed in executive sessions.
“I can’t divulge what was done and said in the executive session,” Lando told The Corning Leader. “I can't talk about what went on in the executive sessions.”
Allard, who pointed out Lando will be under oath when deposed, said almost all the discussions prior to the vote were done in executive session.
“We have no idea what legislators were told that affected the vote and the public has no knowledge of what was said or told at these meetings,” Allard said. “This will allow us to depose Legislator Lando and find out exactly what was said. Were there any statements made that were untrue or misleading leading up to the vote?”
Lando, a Corning Democrat who voted against the repeal, said she has told Allard her personal feelings on the vote, but she is not going to discuss what was said in the legislature’s executive session.
“I didn’t want anyone telling me that’s the way I should vote,” said Lando, who declined to say if that had happened in a legislative executive session.
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Jack Wheeler, Steuben County manager, had no comment on Cook’s decision.
Allard said the indemnification protects the sheriff's position in the event of a lawsuit in the process of doing the job and the liability in the performance.
“We think (the vote removing indemnification) was under bad faith. That’s why we filed (the lawsuit),” Allard said.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: Steuben County legislator faces deposition in sheriff's lawsuit
