Some legislators are raising questions surrounding the departure of Monroe County Commissioner of Public Health Dr. Michael Mendoza from his post.

Mendoza announced last month that he was stepping down from the role he had held since 2016. 

What You Need To Know

  • Legislators are raising questions surrounding the departure of Monroe County Commissioner of Health Dr. Michael Mendoza from his post.

  • Monroe County Legislature Republican Conference Leader Steve Brew says he’s formally requesting the county for clarifications about why the legislature was not informed of a nondisclosure agreement as part of the separation agreement

  • Monroe County Communications states its legal counsel will provide confidential, attorney-client privileged briefings to all legislators

“When we saw the agreement that was executed between Dr. Mendoza and the county," Monroe County Legislature Republican Conference Leader Steve Brew said. "Of course, that raised a number of questions.

Brew is joining the growing list of people seeking transparency from the county about the sudden move a month ago.

“The legislative body, we are responsible for that appointment of the commissioner of health," Brew said.

Brew says he is formally requesting the county in the form of a letter for clarifications about why the legislature was not informed of a nondisclosure agreement as part of the separation agreement.

“We are county legislators, and we were mentioned in that agreement," Brew said. "What immediately came to our minds was that we know very little about that.”

Brew says he has many questions, including why Mendoza is required to provide Monroe County Public Safety 48 hours’ notice before he is to enter a county building?

Some Democratic legislators are also seeking answers, including Rachel Barnhart and legislature Vice President Mercedes Vazquez-Simmons.  

“We are the government of Monroe County, the legislative branch and the executive branch, and we feel that we certainly have a right to know the answers to these questions," Brew said. 

Monroe County Communications said in a statement that its legal counsel will provide confidential, attorney-client privileged briefings to all legislators.

“As with any personnel matter, the County will act in accordance with its legal obligations," Gary Walker, director of communications for Monroe County, said in a statement. "The County Administration will not respond to speculation or political theater. In response to yesterday’s requests from the County Legislature, the County’s legal counsel will provide confidential, attorney-client privileged briefings to all Legislators.”

Last month, when asked to address why he was stepping down from his role, Mendoza said that he could not comment, and has not done so since then.