Former Erie County Social Services Commissioner Guilty of Rape
According to News Reports, Former Erie County Commissioner, Dr. Albert Dirschberger has been found guilty of raping a co-worker he supervised while attending a conference in Albany in 2017.
Erie County Executive, Marc Polencarz, issued this statement according to reports:
“Today’s verdict confirms my administration took the correct course of action in performing an immediate investigation of the incident upon learning of it and asking for the defendant’s resignation after confirming that he had violated numerous Erie County policies. Independent counsel retained by the Legislature also confirmed that my administration acted quickly and appropriately in this case and cooperated fully with investigators and law enforcement as the case moved forward. Additionally, it should be noted that Erie County declined to provide a defense or indemnity for the defendant upon learning of these charges as his actions did not fall within the scope of his public employment or duties. I do not tolerate any form of sexual misconduct, especially the abhorrent conduct in this case, and my thoughts are with the victim at this time.”
Reports say that Dirschberger faces up to 4 years in prison and will be sentenced on April 12.