WYOMING SR. CENTER DIRECTOR "OFF THE HOOK"

(08/31/2006)
A federal judge has pretty much let Wyoming County Council on Aging Executive Director Bob Graham off the hook, ruling against him on one of 39 counts.

US District Judge David Faber said that while Graham's actions may have been improper and unethical, they did not violate the law.

Graham was convicted on one count involving a sick leave payment of about $31,000, which was taken without his board's approval. He will be required to repay the money.

Faber said Graham failed miserably to fulfill his duties as a public servant, squandered public resources and adopted a lifestyle that reflected poorly on the senior center and another nonprofit agency he operated.

The 60-year-old Graham had been accused of embezzling more than $350,000 from the center to fund his lavish lifestyle that included vacations, private nude dances and a personal tanning bed.

He also faced charges of mail fraud, filing false tax returns and engaging in illegal banking transactions.