Joseph J. Tomizzi’s decision to step down as a deputy fire commissioner occurred while he and the Fire Investigation Unit he headed are being investigated by the state Attorney General’s Office, a probe that apparently centers on allegations that Tomizzi was abusing his authority by performing criminal background checks on individuals, The Buffalo News has learned.
State investigators requested documents from the city related to the unit and also met with officials of Erie County Central Police Services, which houses the criminal records database used by fire investigators.
“We have received a request for documents from the Attorney General’s Office – documents relating to the operation of the Fire Investigation Unit,” Mayor Byron W. Brown said Monday. “I have asked staff to comply fully with that request and provide any documents that are being asked for.” The mayor declined to further identify the documents sought in the request that was marked confidential.
Meanwhile, an investigating team headed by Assistant State Attorney General Diane M. LaVallee met Wednesday with CPS Commissioner John A. Glascott to discuss the Tomizzi situation in relation to the county’s criminal records system.