Admin

Subscribe to Admin

State Contract and Payment Actions in June

In June, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,909 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $7.3 billion and approved more than 1.8 million payments worth more than $14.1 billion. The office rejected 262 contracts and related transactions valued at $5.5 billion and nearly 3,100 payments valued at more than $7.2 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.

State Comptroller DiNapoli Details Progress on Corporate Political Spending Disclosure

During the 2024 proxy season, three portfolio companies agreed to publicly disclose their political spending while proposals at three other companies won significant support from shareholders, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), announced today. DiNapoli also announced that he called on 16 companies, including Tesla Inc., Domino’s Pizza Inc., and Garmin Ltd., requesting similar comprehensive disclosure of political spending.

DiNapoli, Erie Co. Da Keane and Erie Co. Sheriff Garcia: Former Erie County Deputy Clerk Pleads Guilty to Stealing More Than $320,000

Former Deputy Erie County Clerk Alexander McDougall today pleaded guilty to felony counts of grand larceny and offering a false instrument for filing for stealing over $320,000 in county funds, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Keane, and Erie County Sheriff John C. Garcia announced.

DiNapoli: NYC Transit Must Ensure Cameras and Security Equipment Are Maintained and in Working Order

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s New York City Transit (Transit) needs to do a better job of maintaining its security and safety equipment, including Closed-Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) in the subway system, to avoid future unexpected failures, an audit from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found.

DiNapoli: Hate Crimes Surged in New York Over the Last Five Years

New York state has seen a surge in hate crimes over the last five years with 1,089 reported instances in 2023, marking the highest number since data collection and annual reporting were mandated by New York’s Hates Crimes Act of 2000, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The number is 69% more than in 2019.

DiNapoli: Former West Carthage Housing Authority Executive Director Sentenced in Embezzlement Scheme; Over $48,000 in Restitution Recovered

Former West Carthage Housing Authority Executive Director Jan Hoffman was sentenced yesterday for a scheme that allowed her to steal over $48,000 in WCHA funds, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Jefferson County District Attorney Kristyna S. Mills, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of the Inspector General (HUD OIG) and the New York State Police announced. Hoffman was sentenced to serve five years’ probation.

The Concerning Growth of Hate Crime in New York State

Introduction

New York State has seen a concerning surge in reported hate crimes over the last five years, with the number of incidents increasing by 12.7 percent in 2023 alone. As the number of hate crimes has grown, these crimes are increasingly targeting people rather than property, with most attacks against Jewish, Black and Gay Male New Yorkers. Recent efforts recognize the severity of this issue, but more must be done to prevent the prejudice and biases that motivate these crimes from taking root.

Office Real Estate in New York City: A Review of Market Valuation Shifts

Office buildings in New York City remain a critical contributor to its economy and tax base, as market values reached nearly $205 billion in fiscal year 2025, surpassing pre-pandemic levels. Higher market values on office buildings are being fueled by growth outside of traditional Midtown office districts, including Hudson Yards, Chelsea, Union Square, Soho, Downtown Brooklyn and Long Island City.