City auditor refuses to pay for photographs

By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- The city auditor says he won't reimburse a municipal court judge for photographs taken for court publications despite the judge's order.
Judge Thomas P. Gysegem submitted a voucher in May asking for reimbursement of $90.53 for 16 wallet-size photographs taken by the bar association for court publications, brochures, pamphlets and press releases for court use.
The cost was $85 for the photos with $5.53 in taxes. Auditor David Griffing didn't pay it.
"We've never paid for photographs before for any elected official," Griffing said. The city doesn't pay taxes for anyone, he added.
The voucher was approved by William Franklin, safety-service director.
"I knew he [the judge] ultimately had the power to do a journal entry and I thought if they [the photographs] were used for court purposes that it was appropriate," Franklin said.
On Sept. 28, the judge exercised that power and signed a journal entry ordering Griffing to pay.
"It is hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that the auditor of the city of Warren reimburse Judge Thomas P. Gysegem for photographs taken for court and judicial publications in the sum of $90.53," the entry says.
Franklin said he appreciates that Griffing scrutinizes purchase orders and vouchers submitted for payment by the city.
Most of the time, Franklin says, he and Griffing agree when Griffing holds up payment.
Griffing won't budge.
"I'm not paying it," he said. "If he wants to take me to court, he has the authority to do that."
The judge was out of town and couldn't be reached.