Officials say the city will reimburse the firefighters union for most expenses related to the funerals of two firefighters who died last year, but it will not put up money for alcohol served at the receptions.

"It would be foolish for the city to engage in underwriting alcohol-

related expenses," Comptroller Andrew A. SanFilippo said Tuesday.

The city has a long-standing unwritten policy of not paying for alcohol, SanFilippo said,

claiming liability issues and other concerns.

But the president of the firefighters union said he will fight that decision in

arbitration.

"We don't want the [partial] check," Daniel Cunningham told The Buffalo News. "They pay us

what they owe us — which is $25,000."

City auditors said receipts indicate that $9,630 of the expenses submitted for

reimbursement by the fire union involve alcohol that was served at three receptions following

the August funerals. Cunningham said the figure is actually about $7,600, claiming auditors

incorrectly categorized costs associated with setting up bars that also served soda.

The city is contractually obligated to pay up to $12,500 in funeral expenses for each

firefighter. SanFilippo said his office is prepared to authorize a check for the balance owed

— minus the alcohol charges. Cunningham said a partial payment is unacceptable.

Cunningham also accused city officials of raising the alcohol-related issue in a thinly veiled

attempt to smear the reputations of firefighters.

"They're trying to make the public think we're drunks," he said.

He disagreed that the city would expose itself to any liability risks, claiming vendors who

supply alcohol at events assume the liability.

SanFilippo insisted the comptroller's office has only one motive: to make sure the city

follows proper reimbursement procedures.

Cunningham said the funerals and receptions would have cost tens of thousands of dollars

more had it not been for the generosity of many companies and individuals who made various

donations.

"This is just another way of the city disrespecting [firefighters]," he said.

Cunningham vowed to write letters to donors informing them of the city's refusal to honor

its obligations. He said no contract or other written document prohibits the city from

reimbursing alcohol-related expenses.

Firefighter Jonathan S. Croom and Lt. Charles W. "Chip" McCarthy Jr. were killed last

summer battling a three-alarm blaze at an East Side deli. Thousands of people attended their

funerals, including hundreds of firefighters who traveled from other regions.

Darryl McPherson, the city's chief auditor, said officials were eager to work with the fire

union to resolve the dispute.

If, for example, the union has other funeral expenses that are not alcohol-related, they

can be submitted for reimbursement under the $25,000 expense limit, he said.