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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
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Exxon's Investors Call for Meaningful Climate Risk Plan

Investors led by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, as trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), and the Church of England, are calling on ExxonMobil to explain how its business will be impacted by global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Former Assistant Director of Queens Pre-School Provider Pleads Guilty to Stealing $5 Million Intended for Special Needs Students

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown today announced that Rabbi Samuel Hiller, the former assistant director of Island Child Development Center, once one of New York City's largest providers of special education services to pre-schoolers with disabilities, pleaded guilty to stealing $5 million in city and state funding between 2005 and 2012 — money that was intended for special needs students between ages three to five.

Comptroller DiNapoli and A.G. Schneiderman Announce Indictment of Former West Ghent Volunteer Fire Company Treasurer for Allegedly Embezzling Fire Company Money

Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced the arrest and arraignment of Gail E. Cesternino (46), for allegedly embezzling over $55,000 from the West Ghent Volunteer Fire Company. An indictment unsealed today charges Cesternino with Grand Larceny in the Second Degree and thirteen counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree.

DiNapoli's Auditors Halt $21.3 Million in Suspicious 2016 Tax Refunds

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today his office stopped $21.3 million in questionable or fraudulent personal income tax refunds from being paid so far in 2017.

DiNapoli's office paid out 4.6 million state refunds totaling $4.4 billion to date. Another 471,000 refunds totaling $466 million are expected to be paid in the coming days.

"My auditors are committed to safeguarding the funds of honest New Yorkers," DiNapoli said. "We'll stay one step ahead of the schemes used by tax cheats, and look to ensure only legitimate refunds are paid."

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.