More than $1 Million Spent on Massages, Acupuncture Treatments

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Erie County employees received close to $1.4 Million in massages and acupuncture treatments over the last four years, according to a new audit released by the Erie County Comptroller's Office Sunday.

The audit showed that the treatments were part of county employees health coverage.

According to the Comptroller's Office, Erie County employees are entitled to 12 massages and 6 acupuncture treatments each year.

The treatments are covered by health insurance with the exception of a $8 or $10 co-payment.

"That's how this began when I was handed a benefits package and they said here you go. That's where you get massages and that's where you get acupuncture," Stefan Mychajliw, Erie County Comptroller told 2 on Your Side. "I don't think taxpayers should be paying for this, and quite frankly people should be outraged about it."

One county employee's union, the CSEA, has removed the treatments for all county corrections workers hired January 1st of this year.

Mychajliw says that's a good start and he'd like to see other county departments take the plan out of future contracts.

Click here to view the story