John Fischer Jr., 51, of Getzville, who was convicted of extortion by color of official right on July 22, was sentenced to three years of probation, including a period of 10 months in home confinement.

He worked for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority as administrator for capital improvements. He used his official position with the BMHA to obtain the services of a contractor doing business on BMHA projects to make roof repairs on the home of a friend in Sanborn. Fischer admitted that he offered to issue "change orders" in pending contracts which authorize additional payments to contractors in order to reimburse the contractor for the private work.

He also asked the owner of the home where the repairs were done to make false statements to law enforcement. As part of his plea agreement, Fischer resigned from his position with the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority.