BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Erie County Sheriff John Garcia warned legislators Monday that taxpayers would be on the hook for rising costs associated with a backlog of about 150 inmates who should be in state custody.

"While we do plan to bill the state for all costs we've incurred as a result of this, it remains to be seen exactly what they will agree to cover," Garcia said in his Aug. 25 letter to county lawmakers.

Garcia's warning to county legislators added a new twist to the sheriff's office's months-long rift with the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) over its failure to eliminate the backlog. Garcia said DOCCS told him the situation would be resolved by mid-September.

"As we now approach the beginning of September, it is clear that the skepticism was w

See Full Page