Photo Credit: Jeff Hopkins.
On August 11, 2017, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, which guarantees legal representation for low-income tenants who face eviction. The new law has two major innovations with respect to eviction petitions brought in Housing Court. (more…)
Image Credit: Triton.
Contractor redesigned and re-fabricated roof of rink as part of a time and materials contract. On September 19, 2013, the Department of Design and Construction awarded a $5.1 million contract to Triton Structural Concrete, Inc. to construct the Ocean Breeze Indoor Horse Riding Arena in Staten Island. The rink was to serve as the headquarters for Helping Others Overcome Personal Handicaps, a therapeutic riding program. Because of 2012’s Superstorm Sandy, the DDC required an enclosed canopy for the rink. Triton submitted a design for the canopy which was criticized by DDC for not showing how the soffit under the canopy would extend as a continuous structure. Following additional discussions Triton designed and fabricated the canopy. When the materials arrived on site, DDC objected to the fabricated materials and required Triton to redesign and reconstruct the canopy. Triton sought an additional $88,674 for the extra work. (more…)
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Comptroller’s audit finds that DHS’ fiscal operations could reduce the effectiveness of DHS’ oversight over providers. On January 24, 2017, the Office of the City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report of an audit of Samaritan Daytop Village Inc., a not-for-profit corporation that provides shelter and services to homeless individuals and families under a contract with the Department of Homeless Services. The audit sought to evaluate whether payments to Samaritan and the payment rates were reasonable, appropriate, and adequately supported, and whether Samaritan was complying with its contract with DHS. Additionally, the audit sought to determine whether DHS adequately monitored Samaritan to ensure that all payments were made in compliance with the contract. (more…)
Ross Sandler
The stunning 79-page federal complaint and arrest of Joseph Percoco and seven others by United States Attorney Preet Bharara focused on bribery and extortion, but the complaint also revealed a callous disregard of State conflicts of interest and procurement rules. These allegations were as serious as the federal criminal charges. (more…)
Tweed Courthouse. Image credit: CityLaw
New York City has a long and rich history of scandal and corruption. Here are three examples from favorite books that visit past scandals in complete and revealing detail.
In a Reader
