What a mess in Jamestown. Nothing good ever comes from confidential agreements.
Great reporting by John Whittaker from the Jamestown Post-Journal.
Fred Larson, a former City Council member, retired Jamestown City Court Judge, and current Chautauqua County legislator, enrolled in the city’s employee retirement dental benefits program after his retirement from City Court. Judges are employed by New York State, and city officials say Larson was not eligible to enroll in the program for Jamestown retirees.
Coverage was canceled on March 1, 2022, before Larson signed a confidential agreement with former Mayor Eddie Sundquist, allowing Larson and his wife to rejoin the city retiree dental insurance program. The agreement didn’t come up for approval by City Council members.
City officials say the confidential agreement was not approved by the City Council and violates the state’s General City Law by granting extra compensation to a public officer, servant, or contractor. It also violates the state Constitution’s prohibition against making a gift of public money to any individual.
