OSWEGO: State investigators seized the cell phone and computer of the Port of Oswego Authority’s executive director in a surprise visit Wednesday, the port’s board chairman said Thursday. The devices were taken Wednesday afternoon by investigators from New York Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott’s office, chairman Terry Hammill said. He said he doesn’t know what the office is investigating. He stressed the port’s employees cooperated fully. His account of what occurred at the port is based on conversations with the executive director, Zelko N. Kirincich, and other employees who saw the agency’s visit. He was not at the port while the IG’s staff was there or since, he said. “All I know is a bunch of IG folks walked in and started their inspector general inspection,” he said.
The visit happened early Wednesday afternoon, and investigators stayed until 6 p.m., he said. About a dozen investigators arrived and asked to take the property and said they could bring a search warrant if necessary. But Hammill said Kirincich cooperated, and no warrant was executed. Hammill, a former Oswego mayor, also said no police officers were at the scene during the raid, and he has no idea whether the investigation is criminal in nature. Employees told Hammill the investigators arrived in unmarked vehicles and were not wearing police uniforms.
