http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/663608.html
There is a certain word that I’d use to define a person like this… read the article and tell me what word you’re thinking of. Let’s see if it’s the same word… LOL
Davis’ college credentials not verifiable
Buffalo Council Member Brian Davis is raising more questions, this time about his college credentials.
By James Heaney
NEWS STAFF REPORTERCommon Council Member Brian C. Davis says he has a degree in political science from Trinity College.
But none of the 10 colleges in the nation with Trinity in their name says Davis has graduated from their school.
The revelation follows publication of a Buffalo News investigation last month showing that Davis has a history of financial irresponsibility that has resulted in the state freezing his campaign accounts, suspending his driver’s license and suing him for unpaid taxes. Davis also has had 10 liens or lawsuits filed against him after creditors said he failed to pay his bills.
Council President David A. Franczyk, after being informed of The News’ latest finding, convened a meeting with an attorney from the city Law Department and Council Majority Leader Richard A. Fontana and President Pro Tempore Michael P. Kearns to discuss what, if any, powers the Council has to investigate Davis’ conduct.
“I want an opinion from the Law Department,” Franczyk said. “My goal is not to cover for him or to prosecute him, but to see if he is following the law and the charter.”
Davis, 39, who represents the Ellicott District, which includes downtown and portions of the city’s East and West sides, has not spoken to the substance of The News’ initial investigation, and he has declined repeated requests for an interview to discuss where he graduated from college.
His biography on City Hall’s Web site stated that he graduated from Trinity College with a degree in political science before it was removed a day or two after The News published its investigation.
In an e-mail, he simply restated that he graduated from “Trinity College” but did not indicate which of the 10 that have “Trinity” in their name or in what year.
The News contacted officials at all 10 of the “Trinity” colleges and universities, starting with Trinity College in Hartford, Conn., the most prominent of the schools. None said that their school had graduated anyone with a name, birth date or hometown that matched Davis’.
Davis joined the Council as a staff member in 1999 and was elected to his seat in November 2001.
The News investigation last month found that while his financial troubles date from the early 1990s, including a personal bankruptcy, most of his difficulties started after he was elected.
Since taking office, he has been the target of five lawsuits in Buffalo Small Claims Court. Creditors also have filed five liens against him, most of them since he took office.
In 2005, Davis finally paid the state $1,143 in overdue income taxes that it sued to obtain in 1999. In 2007, the state Department of Motor Vehicles suspended his driver’s license because of lapsed insurance, and his license remained void in the middle of last month, although his city-paid parking space at the parking ramp across from City Hall was still being used, officials said.
Last year, the state Board of Elections suspended Davis’ campaign account for violations of campaign finance laws. The accounts remained suspended as of the middle of last month.
In addition, his City Hall wages are under garnishment for what appears to be two child-support payments.
Davis also was the subject of a police investigation in February based on an allegation that he wrote a bad check to cover the rent of a city-subsidized restaurant that has since closed. Police ruled that the matter was civil, not criminal, and it remains unresolved.
Despite this history, and calls for an inquiry, the Council thus far has declined to look into Davis’ conduct, and officials on the city’s Board of Ethics said they probably will not look into possible ethical violations. They said some of Davis’ conduct could have potential criminal implications or be related to his personal conduct rather than his activity as a Council member.
Franczyk said Wednesday, however, that the latest revelations prompted him to seek clarification about just what, if anything, the Council can do to at least question Davis on his conduct.
“I don’t like this. I don’t like being put in the situation he’s put us in,” Franczyk said. “The best option is for him to come out and have a press conference and explain it.”
As for Davis’ unsubstantiated assertion that he has a degree from Trinity College, Franczyk said, “I can’t say if he did or he didn’t. But if you lie on your resume in the private sector, you’re usually fired.”
<b>[EMAIL=“jheaney@buffnews.com”]jheaney@buffnews.com[/EMAIL]