BUFFALO, N.Y. — An Erie County Supreme Court justice heard arguments Tuesday in a lawsuit alleging illegal salary raises for City of Buffalo positions, including Mayor Byron Brown.

Paul Wolf, an attorney with the New York Coalition for Open Government, is suing the City of Buffalo for allegedly improperly enacting salary raises to Mayor Brown, Common Council members and members of the Board of Education.

“It’s critical that government officials conduct business in public so the public can see what their officials are discussing and deciding,” Wolf said.

Attorneys representing the respondents declined to comment to Spectrum News 1.

The hearing was before Erie County Supreme Court Justice Craig Hannah. Wolf opened the hearing by asking if Hannah planned to recuse himself from the case, saying Hannah has a long history with Brown. 

“As long as I can be fair and impartial and I believe I can preside over the case with impartiality, if I don’t feel there’s a conflict, I don’t believe there’s a conflict," said Hannah.

Wolf accused the city of not following proper procedures to grant these raises, including holding executive sessions without members of the public present.

During the hearing, attorney Craig Bucki, representing the respondents, said that Wolf should have filed this suit in August 2023 to comply with the statute of limitations and that the city boards that recommended the pay raises aren't subject to open meetings laws.

Hannah did not issue a decision but said there would be one soon.