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DiNapoli expands anti-corruption initiative

by jmaloni

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Tue, May 13th 2014 03:25 pm

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli has announced he expanded his anti-public corruption initiative and created a new division of investigations to build on efforts that resulted in 30 arrests and the restitution of $3 million last year. Deputy Comptroller and Counsel for Investigations Nelson Sheingold will head the division.

Sheingold previously served as the comptroller's legal counsel for investigations. Prior to joining the comptroller's office in 2011, he was chief counsel to the state inspector general, an assistant attorney general in the state attorney general's office, and an assistant district attorney in New York County.

"Time after time, my auditors and investigators have uncovered fraud by government officials, employees and vendors," DiNapoli said. "This new division will boost our scrutiny and strengthen the oversight of public funds. Nelson Sheingold's dogged pursuit of those who line their pockets at taxpayers' expense makes him the perfect choice to head this division. We will continue to expose those who abuse their public duty and rip off taxpayer dollars."

Since taking office, DiNapoli has implemented several measures to maximize the comptroller's fraud-fighting ability, including his groundbreaking partnership with state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman's office in the Joint Task Force on Public Integrity. This partnership has resulted in numerous criminal actions statewide.

DiNapoli's office has also worked cooperatively with U.S. attorneys' offices, mostly notably in the review of former Assemblyman William Boyland Jr.'s per diem spending for which he was convicted in federal court.

DiNapoli's fraud oversight of special education providers recovered more than $2 million, prompted six arrests, four convictions and resulted in legislation enhancing the comptroller's oversight of the state's $1.4 billion preschool special education program.

Anyone with additional information on public corruption is encouraged to contact the comptroller's office by calling the toll-free fraud hotline at 1-888-672-4555; filing a complaint online at [email protected]; or mailing a complaint to: Office of the State Comptroller, Investigations Unit, 110 State St., 14th floor, Albany, N.Y. 12236.

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