David Riley, and Meaghan M. McDermott

Democrat and Chronicle

A high-ranking member of Monroe County Executive Cheryl Dinolfo's administration will step down over his role in the I-Square controversy.

The county announced Assistant County Executive Justin Roj's resignation Thursday evening.

The flap started on March 18, when County Republican Chairman Bill Reilich stated that the I-Square project in Irondequoit was suffering "financial woes" in a political attack on Democrat Adam Bello. Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently appointed Bello, who had been Irondequoit supervisor, as county clerk.

Part of Roj's job was to work with the county's Economic Development Division, which handles the everyday business of the County of Monroe Industrial Development Agency.

Reilich said, in part, that Bello was abandoning his post in Irondequoit just as the I-Square project was running into problems with its deal for tax breaks from COMIDA. An attorney for the agency then confirmed, after a Sunday night visit to the site, that the project had not met a required construction milestone.

I-Square owners Mike and Wendy Nolan sharply disputed that finding and questioned why COMIDA had not previously notified them of any issue and why Reilich was privy to the information before them.

Cheryl Dinolfo tries to quell I-Square flap

Dinolfo tried to distance her administration from the brewing controversy on Monday. She said that COMIDA Chairwoman Theresa Mazzullo had contacted Roj to ask him how to handle media inquiries, and that Roj simply told her to talk to the agency's attorney and do whatever she saw fit.

But by Thursday, the county's version of events had changed.

In a statement, Dinolfo said Roj was dishonest to her about his role in the controversy.

"I stated that Assistant County Executive Justin Roj had told COMIDA Chair Theresa Mazzullo to contact counsel, follow their advice and respond to the media inquires," she said. "I reported that information with confidence in its accuracy. I have since come to learn that the information I relied upon was untrue. I have learned that, in fact, it was Mr. Roj who, on Sunday, contacted COMIDA counsel."

Dinolfo said she requested Roj's resignation and apologized to COMIDA staff.



"COMIDA Chair Theresa Mazzullo, the Board members and staff work diligently in our community," she said. "I must apologize to Ms. Mazzullo, the Board and its staff."

I-Square owner denies default, threatens to sue GOP leader

A note from Deputy County Executive Thomas VanStrydonck to county department heads said Roj's responsibilities would be handled for now by VanStrydonck, Assistant County Executive Michael Molinari and Communication Director William Napier.

Neither Roj nor Napier responded to requests for comment on Thursday night.

Mike Nolan said the resignation is a "good start" but does not fully address how Reilich became involved in a COMIDA matter.

"Once all of them have been held accountable, they will need to figure out how to start repairing all the damage they have done," he said.

Doorley says she is reviewing I-Square controversy

Also on Thursday, Monroe County District Attorney Sandra Doorley said her office is making an informal inquiry of the handling of the I-Square matter.

"I can say for the record that there is no formal investigation, but there is an inquiry being made. ... We're just gathering all the facts and a determination will be made," she said.

Cuomo appointed Bello to fill a vacancy in the clerk's office created by Dinolfo, who won election as county executive last year.

Bello now holds an office that county Republicans have traditionally used as a launching pad for higher office. He will have to run for election this fall to hold onto the post.

DRILEY@Gannett.com

MCDERMOT@Gannett.com

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