The Office for People With Developmental Disabilities’ (OPWDD) inadequate emergency management coordination left people living in group homes at risk during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. OPWDD reported 657 people died from COVID-19, and more than 13,000 contracted the virus in its residential programs from March 2020 to April 2022.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli issued the following statement today on state budget negotiations.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, St. Lawrence County District Attorney Gary Pasqua and the New York State Police today announced that Nancy Berger, 55, formerly the Clerk/Treasurer of the Village of Norwood, pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the second degree for stealing $73,725 from the village.

“Nancy Berger treated the village as her personal bank account and abused the public’s trust,” DiNapoli said. “I thank District Attorney Pasqua and the New York State Police for their partnership. Justice is now served on behalf of Norwood residents.”

The New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund) committed $1.3 billion to two funds as part of its Sustainable Investments and Climate Solutions (SICS) Program, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the Fund, announced today.

In February, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 2,012 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $7.2 billion and approved nearly 2.9 million payments worth more than $12.7 billion. The office rejected 152 contracts and related transactions valued at $205.8 million and nearly 6,600 payments valued at more than $24.4 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.

Wall Street’s 2022 average bonus paid to securities employees dropped to $176,700, a 26% decline from the previous year’s $240,400, according to New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s annual estimate. Rising interest rates and fear of a recession led to significantly less profits on Wall Street after a record year in 2021. As a result, bonuses returned to pre-pandemic levels, which will mean a decline in related income tax revenue, as anticipated by New York state and the city.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today that his office will conduct a follow up review of the state Department of Health (DOH) after an audit released in March 2022 exposed weaknesses in DOH’s ability to address the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today the following audits have been issued.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) continues to make progress on bringing back riders, but ridership remains well below pre-pandemic levels, putting a major strain on its budget. A report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli highlights key areas of transit service — safety, reliability and frequency — where the MTA can take steps to improve riders’ experience and encourage their return, to effectively fulfil its mission and stabilize its fiscal position.

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