Bellavia discussed the reporting by George Santos that detailed alleged financial reporting failures involving the Seneca Babcock Community Association (SBCA), a nonprofit that operates several youth, senior and social service programs in Buffalo.
“It doesn’t look good,” Bellavia told listeners during the broadcast. “The last 990 that we have from this Seneca Babcock umbrella organization for all these different community centers in Buffalo is from 2017.”
Public records reviewed in the South Shore Press report indicate the organization failed to submit required financial disclosures for years to the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau and fell behind on IRS Form 990 filings, which nonprofits must file annually to maintain tax-exempt status.
Bellavia questioned how such a gap could occur without regulators noticing.
“How do you go six years without filing a 990 form?” Bellavia said on air. “We’re talking millions of dollars.”
The controversy intensified after SBCA Executive Director Brian Pilarski resigned, acknowledging the nonprofit lost its tax-exempt status after required filings were not submitted.
Pilarski has said the lapse was an administrative oversight and maintained there was “no theft, misuse of funds or personal gain.”
Bellavia pressed further during the broadcast, questioning the explanation.
“You’re telling me the only reason this happened is because the IRS didn’t send you a letter?” Bellavia said. “That’s the explanation?”
The situation has drawn additional attention because Pilarski also serves as a Democratic member of the Cheektowaga Town Board and chairs the town’s Ethics Committee.
The issue has prompted calls for a formal investigation.
Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro has asked New York Attorney General Letitia James and State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to investigate the nonprofit’s finances and compliance with state law.
“If they were not a legit not-for-profit,” Bellavia told listeners, “people who donated thinking they were giving to a 501(c)(3) could have a real problem.”
The Seneca Babcock Community Association operates multiple community centers and programs including youth recreation, daycare, workforce development and senior services funded in part through government grants.For Bellavia, the unanswered questions remain significant.
“We’re talking about taxpayer dollars,” he said. “And people deserve answers.”