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January 23, 2016

Selected Reports issued by the Office of the State Comptroller during the week ending January 23, 2016


Selected Reports issued by the Office of the State Comptroller during the week ending January 23, 2016
Click on text highlighted in color to access the full report

Non-profit organization executive convicted of theft of public monies
Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman and New York City Department of Investigation (NYC DOI) Commissioner Mark Peters announced that Dorothy Ogundu, a nonprofit executive convicted for pocketing taxpayer dollars intended for public services and capital improvements in New York City, was sentenced to one to three years in state prison. A multi-agency investigation, including NYC DOI and two federal agencies, exposed the theft of approximately $300,000 in public funds provided by New York state, the New York City Council, and federal earmark grants. On October 22, 2015, a jury convicted Dorothy Ogundu on 29 counts, including Grand Larceny in the Second Degree.


Retiree alleged to have fraudulently obtained retirement benefits
Noting that the charge contained in the Indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty, Thomas P. DiNapoli, New York State Comptroller, Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Diego Rodriguez, the Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced the indictment of Michael J. Vatter, the Chief of the Newburgh Fire Department, charging him with fraudulently obtaining approximately $95,000 in pension benefits by failing to report his return to work in the public sector to the New York State and Local Police and Fire Retirement System. Under New York State law, a public sector retiree who is receiving a pension and who returns to public service cannot receive both pension payments and a public sector paycheck. The law permits public sector retirees to earn up to $30,000 per year from public sector employment before their pension benefits are cut off for that year.


New Tax Cap Calculations
Property tax levy growth for school districts will be capped at 0.12 percent above current levels for the 2016-17 fiscal year, according to data released by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The latest calculation affects the tax cap calculations for 677 school districts as well as 10 cities, including the “Big Four” cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers.


Municipal Audits published

Gloversville Housing Authority – Selected Financial Operations

Mechanicville Housing Authority – Tenant Rents

Village of Old Brookville – Cash Receipts

Town of Pamela – Financial Management

Tompkins County Public Library – Financial Management


School Audits published

East Greenbush Central School District– Claims processing

East Rockaway Union Free School District– Purchasing

Honeoye Central School District – Payroll

Jefferson Central School District – Fund balances

Keene Central School District – Claims Processing

Lansing Central School District – Financial Management

Otego-Unadilla Central School District – Financial Condition

Royalton-Hartland Central School District – Financial Condition

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NYPPL Blogger Harvey Randall served as Principal Attorney, New York State Department of Civil Service; Director of Personnel, SUNY Central Administration; Director of Research, Governor’s Office of Employee Relations; and Staff Judge Advocate General, New York Guard. Consistent with the Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations, the material posted to this blog is presented with the understanding that neither the publisher nor NYPPL and, or, its staff and contributors are providing legal advice to the reader and in the event legal or other expert assistance is needed, the reader is urged to seek such advice from a knowledgeable professional.
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