Local

Pandemic and Recovery: Local Government Finances and Federal Assistance - Lessons from the Mid-Hudson Region, October 2021

The case studies described in this report provide insight into some of the fiscal challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic presented to individual local governments in 2020. OSC staff conducted interviews and financial analysis in late fall 2020, choosing the Mid-Hudson region as the geographical focus. The City of Peekskill, the Town of Cornwall and the Village of New Paltz agreed to participate in the study. Each had its own unique experience in 2020, but each also shows some of the typical problems facing local governments throughout the region and the State.

DiNapoli: New York Needs to Improve Cybersecurity Support to Local Governments and Public Authorities

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today released an audit that found the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) cannot assure the critical cybersecurity support they are providing to state agencies, local governments, and public authorities through their Cyber Incident Response Team (CIRT) is achieving the desired outcomes or is targeting the appropriate customers and their needs.

State Comptroller DiNapoli and Orange County District Attorney Hoovler Announce Guilty Plea in Bethel Tax Collector Pension Fraud Case

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Orange County District Attorney David M. Hoovler today announced that former Town of Bethel Tax Collector Debra Gabriel, of Bethel, pleaded guilty before Judge Peter Feinberg in the Town of Rockland Justice Court to Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the Second Degree, in connection with a scheme to defraud the New York State and Local Retirement System. Gabriel, 62, had resigned her public office and retired in August 2020.

DiNapoli: Local Sales Tax Collections Up 20% in Third Quarter

Local sales tax collections totaled $5.2 billion in the third quarter (July-September of 2021), up $861 million (20%) from the same period last year and continuing the trend of exceeding pre-pandemic levels, according to a report released today from State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli: Former Town of Gardiner Employee Arrested for Pocketing Over $14,000 in Underserved Health Insurance Buyouts

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Ulster County District Attorney David Clegg and the New York State Police announced that Kyle Fletcher, a heavy equipment operator employed by the Town of Gardiner, was arrested for defrauding the Town of over $14,000 in health care buyout payments he was not entitled to.

“Mr. Fletcher allegedly deceived the Town to pocket over $14,000 in public funds," DiNapoli said. “Thanks to my office’s partnership with the New York State Police and Ulster County District Attorney Clegg he is being held responsible for his actions.”

DiNapoli: Second Former Mechanic at State Police Garage Pleads Guilty to Felony

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Madison County District Attorney William Gabor and New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen today announced that former state police mechanic Jeffrey Rapasadi has pleaded guilty to corrupting the government in the third degree, a felony, and petit larceny, a misdemeanor. At the time of his plea, he paid back $12,865 in restitution and was placed on interim probation.

This is the second guilty plea that has resulted from their joint investigation.

DiNapoli: Former Town Supervisor Sentenced to Prison for Embezzlement

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Cortland County District Attorney Patrick Perfetti and the New York State Police today announced that former Pharsalia Town Supervisor Dennis Brown was sentenced to serve one to three years in a state prison. In June, Brown pleaded guilty to stealing $240,000 in public funds after his thefts were revealed through a joint investigation.