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

Corrupt Orange County IDA Officials Ordered to Repay Over $1 Million

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler announced that three former officials of the Orange County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), who pleaded guilty in June to corruption charges, including hiding self-dealing and concealing conflicts of interest, were sentenced today to pay more than $1 million in restitution.

DiNapoli: Former Treasurer Arrested for Stealing From Essex County Fair

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Franklin County District Attorney Craig Carriero and the New York State Police announced that Bridget Brown, former treasurer of the Essex County Agricultural Society (the Society), has been arrested for allegedly stealing more than $60,000 in funds from the organization which operates the Essex County Fair.

DiNapoli: Unemployment Taxes on Employers Poised To Increase To Repay $9B Owed to Federal Government

The historic surge in unemployment claims at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly depleted the New York State Unemployment Insurance (UI) Trust Fund, resulting in the state borrowing from the federal government to pay claims. State UI tax rates have already risen to the highest level permissible under law in 2021. Unless the state or federal government takes significant action, federal UI tax rates on employers will also increase in 2022 and beyond, according to a report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P.

State Contract and Payment Actions in July

In July, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,440 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $11.1 billion and approved nearly 16.6 million payments worth nearly $13.7 billion. The office rejected 144 contracts and related transactions valued at $242.9 million and more than 5,800 payments valued at more than $25.2 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at Open Book New York.

DiNapoli Takes Action to Hold Corporate America Accountable for Failing to Address Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

The New York State Common Retirement Fund (the Fund) voted against board directors at companies that failed to meet the Fund’s expectations for board diversity and filed shareholder proposals calling on companies to address investors’ concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion during the 2021 proxy season, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today. The Fund’s ongoing efforts to hold publicly traded corporations and their top executives accountable received strong support.

DiNapoli Announces Reduction in Employer Contribution Rates for Retirement System

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced reductions in employer contribution rates to the New York State and Local Retirement System (NYSLRS) for both of its systems – the Employees’ Retirement System (ERS) and Police and Fire Retirement System (PFRS). The adjusted rates will impact payments next State Fiscal Year 2022-23. In addition, DiNapoli lowered the long-term assumed rate of return on the Fund’s investments from 6.8% to 5.9%.