By MATT CHANDLER
mchandler@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1654

The former head of a Buffalo agency charged with revitalizing the city pleaded guilty this week to stealing approximately $30,000 in federal funds.

Timothy Wanamaker, 47, who served as executive director of the city's Office of Strategic Planning from 2004 until 2008, entered the guilty plea before U.S. District Judge Richard Arcara to theft from programs receiving federal funds. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Wanamaker supervised both the Buffalo Economic Renaissance Corp. and the Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency. BERC, which has since disbanded, at the time was responsible for promoting economic development with funds obtained from HUD.

As part of his plea, he admitted that while serving as BERC president, a credit card provided to him by BERC for official business was improperly used for a range of non-work-related expenses.

Specifically, he admitted using the credit card to pay for personal expenses including lodging, car rentals and entertainment for his family and guests. "In this case, the defendant admitted stealing federal funds which had been intended for economic development in Buffalo," said U.S. Attorney William Hochul. "Given that the city has one of the highest poverty rates in the country, every dollar taken from these development funds was a particularly damaging blow." 

Sentencing is scheduled for March 16 at 12:30 p.m. before Judge Arcara. Wanamaker was released pending sentencing.