For
Immediate Release:
Monday, September 14, 2020
Statement from Council President Loretta C. Scott as City Council
Submits Legislation for an Independent Investigation Related to the Death of
Daniel Prude
The City Council has a duty to the citizens of Rochester to ensure that an
independent investigation is conducted related to the death of Daniel Prude.
Within days of hearing of Mr. Prude’s tragic death, the Council engaged Andrew
G. Celli, Jr. of Emery, Celli, Brinkerhoff, Abady, Ward & Maazel LLP, to
define the scope of an investigation. City Council, by its very nature, must
act as a check and balance to the Administration; it is our duty to the
citizens of Rochester to ensure that Mr. Celli and his team have the resources
needed to conduct an in depth and wholly independent investigation that will
result in a report that the Council will make public. The legislation submitted
by the Council for tomorrow’s City Council meeting is attached.
With regard to the report issued by Deputy Mayor James Smith, the Council only
learned of this investigation, its contents, and subsequent measures proposed
by the Mayor when announced at this afternoon’s press conference. While we
appreciate the Mayor’s desire to have the City’s Office of Public Integrity
look into this matter, we understand the importance of having a review
conducted by a separate branch of Government with independent legal counsel. We
will review information related to the Deputy Mayor’s report and findings, and
share them with Mr. Celli as part of his investigation.
City Council Independent Investigation Introductory No. 349
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