New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced the following school audits were issued.

The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) has boosted lending and programs for minority households and economically disadvantaged communities, increasing its share of loans provided to low-income and minority borrowers over the last 10 years. However, wide racial and ethnic disparities persist in homeownership in New York.

Some former industrial and commercial contaminated sites that could pose risks to the public’s health and safety have languished in the state’s Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP), according to an audit released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The audit examined the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) management of the program and found it must be strengthened to ensure private parties follow through on the timely remediation of their contaminated sites.

Stronger than anticipated revenues and lower costs for asylum seekers will help New York City balance its $118 billion fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. However, potential fiscal challenges are emerging, including continued uncertainty regarding federal policy and economic conditions, and fiscal risks from anticipated federal budget cuts.

State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Livingston County District Attorney Ashley Williams and New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James today announced that Patricia Chatley, 61, of Nunda, New York, pleaded guilty to stealing more than $25,000 in New York state pension payments made to her deceased mother.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s Office of Unclaimed Funds (OUF) now returns, on average, over $2 million in lost money, known as unclaimed funds, every day. Unclaimed funds occur when people are separated from their money and can come from utility deposits, trust funds, old bank accounts, uncashed checks or unused gift cards.

“We’re returning more than $2 million a day to New Yorkers, and my office is working to make it easier than ever to reclaim lost money, including mailing some checks directly to their rightful owners.”

The Enacted Budget for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 is projected to total $254 billion, a 5.2% increase in spending at a time when new federal actions on funding and policy may change the relationship between the federal government and states. Actions that have already occurred at the federal level, paired with potential Congressional action, may mean that in the upcoming months New York will see challenges to the recently Enacted State Budget, according to a report by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released the following statement today on the sentencing of former Avon Police Chief Joseph Geer for stealing federal funds:

“This police chief swore to uphold the law but instead used his position to enrich himself at the expense of his community. He was ordered to pay back what he stole, and he paid full restitution, amounting to over $6,000. My thanks to U.S. Attorney DiGiacomo and the FBI for partnering with my office to hold him accountable.”

Past Releases

Next Generation 911 (NG911) is a long-promised upgrade to New York’s emergency communications system that would allow photos, voice and video calls and text messaging to be rerouted to other county call centers when major events like natural disasters overwhelm local centers.

A father and son, both owners of companies providing Medicaid recipients with transportation services in Ulster County, were charged with stealing over $1.2 million by unlawfully billing Medicaid by inflating charges and billing for services never provided, State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and Ulster County District Attorney Emmanuel C. Nneji announced today.

Muhammad W. Khan, 40, was arraigned in Ulster County Court. His father, Mohammad A. Khan, 68, was arraigned in Shawangunk Town Court. Both are residents of Campbell Hall.