Greece officials will revoke retiree health insurance benefits for former Deputy Town Supervisor Michelle Marini, who last year admitted to funding personal home renovations with taxpayer dollars. The town will also revive an ethics board after years of scandal and mismanagement that have shaken the community's trust in its government.
Town Supervisor Jeff McCann said Greece was able to rescind Marini's retiree health insurance benefits under the state's "faithless servant" doctrine.
Marini retired the day before her indictment on felony grand larceny charges in 2024. She later pleaded guilty to two charges, including claims that she directed town-hired contractors from a community center project to perform work at her home and the homes of her children.
Upon her retirement, she became eligible for free town health insurance through benefits expanded under former Town Supervisor Bill Reilich. McCann's administration rolled back that policy earlier this year, calling it an appalling use of taxpayer funds.
Current Deputy Supervisor and Councilwoman Amorette Miller said in a statement Marini had a responsibility as a public official to act ethically.
"This action is the consequence of her own choices," she said. "The residents of Greece should not be asked to continue subsidizing a benefit for an individual whose actions violated the public trust. These ties must be cut."
The move is estimated to save the town about $200,000. Marini could not immediately be reached for comment.
Greece finds 'fiscal impropriety' upon closer review of project
The effort to strip Marini's benefits also revealed further concerns about the community center project, town officials said.
In a news release, McCann said town records allegedly show Reilich's administration sidestepped purchasing policies that required board approval of major project changes.
The first phase of the community center renovation was bid at $4 million. Reilich's administration authorized $18 million in contract change orders for the second phase of the project ― a major expansion that included the wellness and fitness center ― and only retroactively sought board approval, according to McCann.
"This is a failure of the system of epic proportions," he said. "We have no way of knowing what the Community Center should have cost Greece taxpayers. What we do know is that the Reilich administration gave contractors a blank checkbook, and $22.6 million later, we have one person, Michelle Marini, who got little more than a slap on the wrist from the justice system."
McCann said the town will revive an ethics board to review community reports of suspected government abuse and will appoint independent members to that body next month.
— Kayla Canne covers community safety for the Democrat and Chronicle with a focus on immigration, police accountability, government surveillance and how people are impacted by violence. Follow her on Instagram @bykaylacanne. Get in touch at kcanne@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Greece strips health benefits from former official Michelle Marini
