Governor Como appoints Catherine Scott to serve as the State’s Inspector General
On May 2, 2013 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced that he has appointed Catherine Leahy Scott to serve as the Inspector General of New York State. Ms. Scott has been serving as the Acting Inspector General since February 2013.
While Ms. Scott served as Acting Inspector General, the New York State Inspector General’s Office has had numerous significant investigations, findings and reports, including:
• The investigation of a state employee for stealing nearly one million dollars in federal government funds that were intended to be used by New York State to provide rent subsidies for low income families. This investigation resulted in the federal prosecution and conviction of this state employee.
• The investigation of improper lab practices in the Monroe County Public Safety Laboratory, which involved the destruction of key evidence in criminal cases in that region.
• An investigation which led to the indictment of the director of a Bronx not-for-profit corporation for bribery. The Inspector General’s investigation revealed the director received thousands of dollars in home improvements from contractors with whom his not-for-profit was doing state business, and who received government-funded renovation contracts intended to assist low and middle income residents.
• An investigation that found mismanagement, faulty procurement practices and security lapses at the New York State Fair. The investigation resulted in sweeping changes at the State Fair.
• In 2013 Ms. Scott trained the heads of all Executive branch agencies and authorities, as well as their chief counsels and ethics officers. Her statewide presentations provided uniform standards to the Executive branch, including codes of conduct and best practices to ensure integrity and the efficient operation of state government.