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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

        
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DiNapoli Audit: State Oversight of Animal Shelters Found to Be Adequate, But Better Safeguards Needed Before Dogs Are Euthanized

The state Department of Agriculture and Markets is generally doing well to ensure animal shelters across New York are providing safe conditions and proper care for seized dogs, but officials could do more to make certain dogs are not inappropriately euthanized, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: Former Fire Company Treasurer Charged in $20,000 Theft

A former Citizens Hose Fire Company official was charged today with grand larceny in the third degree after allegedly stealing over $20,000 in Fire Company funds, following an audit and investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Ontario County Sheriff Philip C. Povero.

Former Company and Auxiliary Treasurer Wendy Wharton, 53, of Manchester, allegedly took thousands of dollars in cash withdrawals and advances from the fire company's credit and debit cards to gamble at casinos in the Finger Lakes, Central New York and Las Vegas.

DiNapoli Announces Oil Spill Fund Agreement With St. Lawrence County

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced an agreement between the New York Environmental Protection and Spill Compensation Fund (Oil Spill Fund) and St. Lawrence County to convert the site of an abandoned auto repair garage in the Village of Canton into a community green space with access to the Grasse River. The county and village have entered into a separate agreement as part of the deal.

DiNapoli's Auditors Halt $24.2 Million in Suspicious Tax Refunds

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office stopped $24.2 million in questionable or fraudulent personal income tax refunds payments so far in 2018.

"Tax cheats are continuously looking for new ways to beat the system, but my auditors are staying one step ahead of them," DiNapoli said. "My office continues to stop fraudulent refunds from reaching the hands of dishonest individuals and identifying taxpayers who claim deductions that are not rightfully theirs."

DiNapoli: State Pension Fund Adds Another $20 Million to Investing in New York Program

The New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) has committed $20 million to the Tribeca Venture Partners Growth Fund to invest in local companies, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. The transaction raises the total commitments of DiNapoli's In-State Private Equity Program (the In-State Program) to $1.6 billion.

DiNapoli Releases Report on Tax Check-Off Donations

New York state's personal income tax (PIT) check-off funds are not distributed promptly to charitable causes, even after legislation aimed at speeding up the process was enacted in 2015, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. His office found more than $15.7 million remained in the funds as of the end of state fiscal year 2016-17.

Rochester Attorney Admits to Unlawfully Receiving Retirement Benefits

Diane M. Cecero, age 64, of Pittsford, New York, admitted today to unlawfully "double-dipping" and receiving state retirement benefits to which she was not entitled. She agreed to pay back those benefits, with interest, as part of a pretrial diversion agreement.

The announcement was made by United States Attorney Grant C. Jaquith and New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.