New York State Comptroller Thomas P.

A sampling of municipalities from across New York reveals gaps in the review of fire safety plans or evacuation procedures for public buildings such as adult care facilities, hospitals, hotels, preschools, libraries and shopping malls, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The audit reviewed enforcement of the state’s Uniform Fire Code in seven cities and three villages.

The New York State Canal Corporation has not performed inspections as required on a significant number of critical structures along the system’s 524 miles of waterways, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) reached a record estimated value of $183.5 billion as of the close of the state fiscal year on March 31, 2015.  

“The Fund performed well over the past year despite the challenges in the market,” DiNapoli said. “We achieved a solid return on investments in the midst of global volatility thanks to our talented investment staff and our diversified asset allocation.” 

Former Potsdam Justice Court clerk Mary Jo Guyette was sentenced today in a $117,120 embezzlement case uncovered in an audit and investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

One month into the state’s 2015-2016 fiscal year, state tax collections totaled $8.6 billion, an increase of 21.4 percent from last April, primarily due to an increase in Personal Income Tax (PIT) collections. Tax collections, however, were $23.7 million lower than newly released Division of the Budget (DOB) projections, according to the April state cash report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced his office completed an audit of the Town of Cohocton, a budget review for the City of Yonkers and an audit of parkland alienation in 11 municipalities.

Mental health provider PSCH, Inc. charged $152,680 in unsubstantiated or unallowable costs to the state Office of Mental Health (OMH) including alcohol and a sunset cruise at a conference at the Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina, and more than $22,000 for a staff picnic, according to an report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

“The rules for conference costs are clear,” DiNapoli said. “And lavish parties with alcohol, cruises and extra guests are not allowable. State agencies must make sure that contractors are reimbursed for legitimate expenses only.”

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office approved 1,204 contracts valued at $22.1 billion and approved more than 1.3 million payments worth more than $5.7 billion in April. His office also rejected 99 contracts and related transactions valued at $111 million and roughly 6,000 payments valued at nearly $13.2 million due to potential fraud, waste or other improprieties.

New York’s Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) provided $660 million in net tax exemptions in 2013, up $105 million from 2012 but estimated job gains were nearly 23,000 lower than the previous year, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This is DiNapoli's eighth annual report examining the performance of the state's IDAs and how these entities fulfill their mission to attract, retain and expand business within their communities.