Food Boss Cheated State Out of $500,000
Took Fridays Off For 17 Years at Taxpayer Expense
For Release: Immediately, April 13, 2010
DOCS Boss Cheated State Out of $500,000
Took Fridays Off For 17 Years at Taxpayer Expense
For 17 years, the former director of the state Department of Correctional Services’ Food Processing Center in Rome engaged in fraudulent activities that cost taxpayers $500,000, according to a joint report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli and State Inspector General Joseph Fisch.
The audit revealed that Howard Dean, the former director, falsified hotel invoices and collected travel reimbursements that his supervisors knew were improper. He also submitted false timesheets and claimed he worked Fridays, when in fact, he never worked a Friday in 17 years.
“Dean blatantly defrauded taxpayers while management looked the other way,” DiNapoli said. “It’s outrageous. Individuals responsible for our correctional system deliberately disregarded the rules and let one of their own steal from taxpayers. We’re going to work with the District Attorney and the Inspector General to get to the bottom of how widespread this fraud is and to make sure that those who acted inappropriately are held accountable.”
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