Ex-Niskayuna official laughed off blackface photo complaints, report says FacebookTwitterEmail Niskayuna Comptroller Paul Sebesta (Paul Nelson/Times Union)(Paul Nelson/Times Union) NISKAYUNA – Former Town Comptroller Paul Sebesta displayed a photograph of himself in blackface on his work email account in 2014 and 2016, told employees the photograph also was part of a calendar at his office, and engaged in other objectionable conduct during his tenure, according to a law firm s investigation commissioned by the town. Sebesta, who for many years during his 32-year career was Niskayuna s highest paid town employee, submitted his letter of resignation on June 18, three days after the Town Board received a “letter from concerned citizens” that brought the photo to its attention.