In Buffalo, more than anywhere, there is a growing need for media accountability.

In this space I'll try to add some perspective to the local media scene in Buffalo.

Deadbeat Dad Index
Dear Erie County Social Services: What is the difference between these three men?
Owes his child nearly $50,000 Owes his child $9,300 Owes his child $8,400
The Erie County government page lists deadbeat dads, their pictures and information as to where to find the person. It looks like the FBI most-wanted page.

Why do some people make the "list" while others don't? The two men listed above owed less than $10,000 each. Joe Illuzzi owes $50,000, yet doesn't appear on the list. It can't be that the county doesn't know about him. It has him in court, and set an unusually high $25,000 bail until the case comes to trial.

Kernwatch.com has written to the Dept. of Social Services asking why Joe Illuzzi, currently free on $25,000 bail for non-payment of $50,000 in child support. The contents of the email are listed here. We'll print the response when it arrives.
October 18, 2001

Dear Social Services:

How does one report public figures who have apparently never financially supported their children?

Joseph Illuzzi, publisher of www.Illuzziletter.com, a close friend of the mayor & Democratic Party boss Pigeon, (& District Attorney Clark?) returns to Cheektowaga Town Court before Judge Kmiotek on November 5 (prosecutor Kelly Omel, defense attorney David Jay).

Illuzzi robbed the M&T Bank at Auburn & Elmwood at age 22 (see www.Kernwatch.com). He declared bankruptcy a dozen years ago for $210,000 & currently has about $100,000 in bad debts filed with the Erie County Clerk. The largest is $26,042 for the scam he and his brother committed against BonTon Stores. That judgment was granted 1/15/96. He also owes NYS taxes of $433 filed 6/14/94 & developer Carl Paladino unpaid rent of $1858, filed 12/26/95.

Filings for unpaid child support are:

  • $ 4240; NYS Child Support Collection, filed 3/16/98 (plus 9% interest = $1375 Int)
  • $ 8640; Erie County Family Court, re: child support order of 8/9/96, filed 5/21/98
  • $11045; NYS Child Support Collection, filed 3/9/99, (plus 9% interest = $2600 Int)
  • $ 9940; Erie County Family Court, filed 7/26/00
  • $ 3427; NYS Child Support, filed 9/14/00 ( plus 9% interest = $620 Int)
  • $37290 TOTAL currently filed with Clerk's Office

Plus $4600 interest (approx)

$41,890 Approximate total filed with interest

(Plus unpaid support to date, approximate total, $50,000?)

Illizzi's daughter is 7 years old & lives with her maternal grandparents. Her mother Katherine Osiecki (SS #082-58-0771) committed suicide a year ago at Mother's Day.

In addition to resolving child support problems, the important issue of permanency planning (adoption?) must be resolved for a child whose father, a lifelong scammer & age 45 when she was born, has apparently never supported her.

PLEASE INFORM ME HOW MEASURES ENFORCING MR ILLUZZI TO PAY CHILD SUPPORT CAN BE IMPLEMENTED.

Thank You,

Richard Kern, 354 Baynes St., Buffalo, NY 14213, 882-2388

NOTE: Joseph Illuzzi, SS#126-36-5745, lives at 175 North St, Buffalo 14201

The $25,000 bail is covered by his brother Joseph V. & sister Mary Jo Illuzzi, who quit deeded

property (the premium on the bail is $1,760)

COPY; ADA Omel
David Jay, Esq
Subject: Re: Joseph J Illuzzi, $25,000 bail for $50,000 of child non-support
From: "Frank Gaskill" <fgaski@dss1.co.erie.ny.us>
Date: Fri, 19 Oct 2001 11:09:29 -0500
To: KERNWATCH@aol.com

Criminal prosecution is the last and most severe enforcement tool available. Specific information about actions taken in this matter are confidential.

_______________________________________________________

and then this follow-up also:

_______________________________________________________

Subj: Re: Joseph J Illuzzi, $25,000 bail for $50,000 of child non-support
Date: 10/19/01 11:09:09 AM Eastern Daylight Time
From: fgaski@dss1.co.erie.ny.us (Frank Gaskill)
To: KERNWATCH@aol.com


Criminal prosecution is the last and most severe enforcement tool available. Specific information about actions taken in this matter are confidential.

_______________________________________________________

and, the beaurocracy continues with this final email response:

________________________________________________________

Subject: Re: Joseph J Illuzzi, $25,000 bail for $50,000 of child non-support
From: "Frank Gaskill" <fgaski@dss1.co.erie.ny.us>
Date: Mon, 22 Oct 2001 13:09:15 -0500
To: KERNWATCH@aol.com

The County Attorney's office produced the original list. Please feel free to contact that office. Everyone's child support case information is confidential.

Illuzzi attorney, David Jay, phoned to clarify that Illuzzi isn't in court November 5, but November 8th. We thank him for that and kernwatch.com will keep you posted.