The settlement recently announced by the state Attorney General’s office brings to an end the “furniture-gate” scandal.


Under the deal, the owner of Buffalo Office Interiors Jim Spano, a close friend of County Executive Giambra, will re-pay $225,000 in overcharges.

An audit by the county Comptroller’s office found that Spano had overcharged taxpayers by more than $500,000 for furniture that he sold the county between 2001-2003.

But perhaps more important than the money that will be returned to taxpayers, is the changes that the county made to its purchasing policies in the wake of the scandal.

2 On Your Side’s Scott Brown has more.