New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today warned retirees not to be fooled if they received text messages or other communications that purport to come from the state’s retirement fund and the Office of the State Comptroller, asking for a payment to “upgrade” the retirement fund. It’s a scam. Report the message to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or by calling the Albany FBI Field Office at 518-465-7551 or 1-800-CALLFBI.

The loss of 44,400 construction jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 was the state’s worst annual decline in the industry in more than 25 years, with more than half the losses coming from New York City, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Construction was the city’s fastest-growing sector from 2011 to 2019, rising by 43.5 percent, until it was brought to a halt by the pandemic.

In April, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,072 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $11.9 billion and approved more than 20.1 million payments worth more than $12.6 billion. The Office rejected 109 contracts and related transactions valued at $337 million and more than 33,900 payments valued at nearly $28.6 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at www.openbooknewyork.com.

Former Town of Potter Clerk Julie Brown was sentenced to six months in Yates County jail today for stealing nearly $27,000 in public funds for her personal use. Her thefts were discovered during a joint investigation by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s office, Yates County District Attorney Todd Casella’s office and Yates County Sheriff Ronald Spike’s office.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released the following statement today in advance of Amazon’s Annual Meeting on Wednesday, May 26, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., Pacific Time.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that the New York State Common Retirement Fund’s (Fund) estimated overall investment return was 33.55 percent for the state fiscal year (SFY) that ended March 31, 2021, reflecting the financial markets’ dramatic rebound from lows reached during the COVID-19 pandemic. The return on investments increased the Fund’s value to an estimated $254.8 billion.