New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that the former treasurer of the Morley Volunteer Fire Co., Cindi Perkins, was yesterday ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution and sentenced to serve five years of probation for stealing from the fire company. Perkins, 58, previously pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree in November 2023.

With federal legislation ending continuous Medicaid coverage in March 2023, New York state began the process of redetermining eligibility for every enrolled individual. An analysis by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli found this “unwinding” may not meet projections in the Division of the Budget’s (DOB) Mid-Year Update to the Enacted Budget Financial Plan, adding costs to the state budget.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi and the New York State Police today announced that Jennifer Colucci, a former tax collector for the town of Beekman, was sentenced to pay full restitution of $88,821.40, five years’ probation, community service, and time served. Colucci served 209 days in jail, paid restitution in full and completed her community service.

In November, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 2,063 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $32.5 billion and approved nearly 2 million payments worth more than $13.3 billion. The office rejected 189 contracts and related transactions valued at $401 million and nearly 1,100 payments valued at more than $38.6 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.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced the following local government and school audits were issued.

New York’s Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI) has not been meeting the needs of all the vulnerable New Yorkers it was created to serve, according to a new audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

The state Department of Health (DOH) has made limited progress in addressing the widespread failures identified in a March 2022 audit of the state’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak in nursing homes, according to a follow-up report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York City faces spending risks that could increase its budget gaps for Fiscal Years (FY) 2025 through 2027 to an average of $12.6 billion annually, fueled by spending choices made during the pandemic, underbudgeting for recurring spending, and significant costs associated with the influx of asylum seekers into the five boroughs, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

Local sales tax collections in New York state increased by 5.1% in November compared to the same month in 2022, according to data released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. Overall, local collections totaled $1.81 billion, up $88.6 million compared to the same time last year.

Population shifts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic are changing the face of New York City and highlight significant policy implications moving forward, according to a report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.