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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
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DiNapoli: LIRR On-Time Performance Falls Short

In 2016, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR), the largest commuter railroad in the nation, did not meet on-time performance goals and had 17,951 trains that were late, canceled or terminated, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. LIRR delays and cancellations impacted an estimated 7.5 million riders and cost more than an estimated $60 million in lost productivity.

State Comptroller DiNapoli Statement on Enacted State Budget

It is welcome news that the Governor and the Legislature have completed work on the 2017-18 state budget. The agreement provides new funding for education, affordable housing and clean water projects, as well as important criminal justice reforms and other programs to help New Yorkers. Still, the budget was late and provided no opportunity for public review of the details.

DiNapoli Finds Major Problems with Rochester School District Payments

The Rochester City School District's payroll processes are disorganized, highly decentralized and not administered uniformly, resulting in errors that are costing taxpayers, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Auditors also found numerous problems with how the district managed its purchases.

Comptroller DiNapoli and A.G. Schneiderman Announce Felony Conviction of Woman Who Stole over $290,000 in Deceased Mother's Benefits from the Buffalo Firemen's Pension Fund

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman announced today the felony conviction of Pearlann MacVittie of West Seneca, New York, of the crime of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, a class D felony. MacVittie pleaded guilty this morning before the Hon. Kenneth F. Case in Erie County Court. She admitted that she had stolen benefits from the city of Buffalo Firemen's Pension Fund that were intended for her late mother, who died in 1983.

DiNapoli: Increase in Older Inmates Challenges New York's Prison System

New York's prison population is decreasing, but the number of inmates age 50 and over rose 46 percent from 2007 to 2016, according to a report issued today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

While data detailing inmate health care costs by age groups is not readily available in New York, DiNapoli's report found that overall, such costs rose to over $380 million in 2015-16 State Fiscal Year, an increase of $64.5 million, or 20.4 percent, in the last three years.

DiNapoli Releases Bond Calendar for Second Quarter

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced a tentative schedule for the planned bond sales for the state, New York City and their major public authorities during the second quarter of 2017.

The planned sales of $4.68 billion include $3.31 billion of new money and $1.37 billion of refundings or reofferings as follows:

Former Newburgh City Fire Chief Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud For Fraudulently Obtaining Retirement Benefits

Preet Bharara, United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that MICHAEL J. VATTER pled guilty today to wire fraud in connection with state pension benefits before U.S. District Judge Cathy Seibel in White Plains federal court.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara said:  “Michael Vatter, the former Newburgh City Fire Chief, cheated the public he swore to serve by double-dipping, receiving both a public pension and a paycheck at the same time.  Today, he admitted to his fraud, and he will be held accountable for his corruption.”