Battle Brewing Between County Controller And County Executive
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- They're political enemies, but Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wager says she's just doing her job holding a news conference chastising County Executive Rich Fitzgerald's use of his county car.
"He is required, as any county employee, to submit accurate documentation and to follow the laws of the county. So, under my responsibility as county controller, it's my duty to be the fiscal watchdog," said Wagner.
Wagner handed out a ream of paper detailing more than 100 political events, which she said Fitzgerald attended using a county-issued 2007 Jeep Cherokee.
The controller estimated that Fitzgerald owes the taxpayers about $11,000 for about 20,000 unaccounted for miles.
"So, what we see here is that, not only was it contrary to county law, but there has never been any re-payment whatsoever of these county funds," Wagner said.
A short time later on Grant Street, KDKA caught up with Fitzgerald. He says he attends about a half dozen events every night.
"I'm out there working on behalf of this county," said Fitzgerald. "I'll continue to work on behalf of this county, and quite frankly, not surprised the controller would try something like this."
Fitzgerald says he often uses his own car on county business at no cost to the county, and while doesn't deny using the county car to attend some political events, he says he's rubbing shoulders with other elected officials and forwarding the county's agenda.
"I actually wish she would go to work," Fitzgerald said. "Talk about misuse of county funds, probably that pay raise she gave herself the day she took office for $25,000, plus the fact that she shows up for work about one day a week. That's probably a big misuse of county funds."
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