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

DiNapoli: Neighborhood Banks Helping Stabilize, Revitalize City Communities

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today visited Ridgewood Savings Bank, in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn and Spring Bank, in the South Bronx, to highlight the importance of Banking Development Districts (BDDs). The Comptroller's Office has deposited $10 million in state funds in each of the two bank branches.

NYS Comptroller DiNapoli: ExxonMobil Agrees to Assess Impacts of Climate Change

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that ExxonMobil has agreed to implement the shareholder request that the company analyze how worldwide efforts to adopt the Paris Agreement goals for reducing global warming might impact its business. The request, co-filed by the New York State Common Retirement Fund (the Fund) and the Church of England, received landslide support from more than 62 percent of Exxon voting shareholders at the company's annual meeting in May.

Former Head of Niagara Falls Housing Authority Pleads Guilty to Stealing Government Funds; Son and Daughter-in-Law Also Convicted

U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Stephanie W. Cowart, 58, of Grand Island, NY, pleaded guilty to theft concerning programs receiving federal funds before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Arcara. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. In addition, Cowart’s son and daughter-in-law, Allen, 31, and Fredia, 28, both of Niagara Falls, NY, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of theft of government funds which carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.

State Comptroller DiNapoli & U.S. Attorney Announce Guilty Plea & Sentencing of Former Albany Resident for Defrauding NYS Retirement System of $130,624

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and United States Attorney Beth Drake announced that former Albany resident Joseph F. Grossmann, 68, pled guilty to Bank Larceny, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, § 2113(b), and was sentenced to probation for three years, including one year of home confinement. Grossmann was also ordered to pay $130,624 in restitution to the New York State & Local Retirement System. Magistrate Judge Paige J. Gossett presided at the hearing.

NY ABLE Program Helps New Yorkers With Disabilities Cover Costs

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro urged local residents to sign up for a new savings plan, called the New York Achieving a Better Life Experience (NY ABLE) program, designed to help individuals with disabilities maintain their health, independence and quality of life. DiNapoli and Molinaro today met with area residents, not-for-profit organizations and county government employees to discuss the program.

Approved State Contracts and Payments

In October, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,722 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $1.39 billion and approved nearly 1.9 million payments worth more than $8.8 billion. The office rejected 195 contracts and related transactions valued at $520 million and nearly 600 payments valued at nearly $161.5 million. More information on these contracts and payments is available at www.openbooknewyork.com.