Three firings at Erie County Holding Center

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – More controversy at the Erie County Holding Center. This time a sergeant and two County Sheriff Deputies who work at the jail were fired for lying about an incident involving an inmate.

The inmate was punched in the thigh back in January during the midnight shift. Chief Brian Doyle told reporters they have evidence that the employees lied. Doyle denies that the firings are in response to other troubles surrounding the downtown jail.

"We are not doing this because of any investigation going on, because of pressure from anybody. We are doing this because it is the right thing to do when you run a jail and the Erie County Sheriff's office. So we are not trying to make an example out of anybody. But in this case we have credible evidence of unauthorized use of force, undocumented, and that three of our employees lied during the investigation," said Doyle.

Three other holding center employees were also suspended without pay.

The Justice Department is suing the holding center for poor conditions. An inspection will take place inside the jail this month.