Image credit: Jeff Hopkins
Three years have passed since Eric Garner’s choking death at the hands of police officer Daniel Pantaleo, and the episode remains unresolved. The grand jury’s secrecy and its decision not to indict anyone, along with Comptroller Scott Stringer’s unusually swift civil settlement with the Garner Family, have left the public with insufficient answers and a sense that justice has been denied. Civil rights organizations and governmental investigators have made additional attempts to obtain information, but all have failed. The public today knows little more than it did the day after Garner’s death. The absence of a satisfying resolution of the Garner case continues to fuel public unrest and a sense that without a public resolution there can be no peace. (more…)
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Comptroller’s audit finds that the DOF misclassified for tax purposes at least twelve Class 1 properties on Staten Island. On February 24, 2017, the Office of the City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report of an audit of Department of Finance property classifications on Staten Island. 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…)
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…)
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Comptroller found that Landmarks did not record issuance dates for Certificates of No Effect, did not send timely notices to applicants who submitted incomplete applications, and did not reconcile permit fees collected by Buildings with permits issued by Landmarks issued. On November 30, 2016, the New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer released an audit report on the Landmarks Preservation Commission procedures and controls surrounding the issuance of Certificates of No Effect. Certificates of No Effect must be obtained from Landmarks before a property owner or tenant can perform certain kinds of work on individual landmarks or property within a historic district. Certificates of No Effect are issued for proposed work that requires a Buildings permit but does not affect a building’s essential architectural features. Expedited Certificates of No Effect are available for certain interior alterations above the second floor or below grade level. Certificates of No Effect, as opposed to Certificates of Appropriateness, do not require a public hearing or review by commissioners. (more…)
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer. Image credit: Office of the New York City Comptroller
Comptroller’s audit finds that HPD’s collection efforts did not result in the collection of the vast majority of the money judgments referred to its Judgment Enforcement Unit. On November 17, 2016, the Office of the City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a report of an audit of the Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The audit sought to evaluate HPD’s efforts in collecting outstanding money judgments resulting from assessed penalties. (more…)
