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NEWS from the Office of the New York State Comptroller
Contact: Press Office 518-474-4015

Comptroller DiNapoli Releases State Audits

March 1, 2016
City University of New York (CUNY): Administration of Fellowship Leaves (Follow-Up) (2015-F-5)

An initial audit issued in October 2013, examined whether the fellowship leaves granted instructional staff were awarded for authorized purposes and in compliance with all applicable requirements. Although most of the fellowship recipients reviewed complied with CUNY policy, improvements were needed to protect taxpayer dollars and the integrity of CUNY's fellowship leave program. In a follow-up report, auditors determined CUNY has made progress in addressing the issues identified in the initial report.

Office of General Services: Passenger Vehicle Fleet Management (2014-S-30)

In the almost three years since the state's Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission's recommendations, OGS has not made any formal recommendations regarding the state's vehicle fleet, as directed in the commission report. As a result, there has been relatively little progress in achieving the overall goal of consolidating and centralizing management of the fleet, which largely remains the responsibility of managers at the individual agencies. For additional progress to occur, OGS needs to perform a comprehensive analysis of agency needs and take steps to ensure the fleet available to each agency is the proper size and makeup to most efficiently meet agency missions.

Department of Health (DOH): Payments for Fraudulent and Improper Claims Submitted by Davis Ethical Pharmacy (Follow-Up) (2015-F-25)

An initial audit issued in August 2013, determined that Medicaid made improper payments totaling $94,460 to Davis Ethical Pharmacy. Auditors determined that Davis Ethical likely fabricated nearly all of the improper claims. After an investigation, the owner, William Davis, pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree in Nassau County District Court. In a follow-up, auditors determined DOH made progress addressing the problems identified in the initial report. At the time of the follow-up review, Davis made full restitution to the state.

United HealthCare: Payments for Fraudulent and Improper Claims Submitted by Davis Ethical Pharmacy (Follow-Up) (2015-F-26)

An initial audit report issued in August 2013, determined the New York State Health Insurance Plan (NYSHIP) made improper payments totaling $137,459 to Davis Ethical Pharmacy. After an investigation, the owner, William Davis pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny in the Second Degree in Nassau County District Court. In a follow-up, auditors determined United made progress addressing the problems identified in the initial report. At the time of the follow-up review, William Davis made full restitution to the state.

Higher Education Services Corporation, Tuition Assistance Program: Metropolitan Learning Institute (2014-T-1)

Auditors determined that Metropolitan was overpaid $581,315 because school officials incorrectly certified students as eligible for state financial aid awards.

New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH): Administration of the Contract With the Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) (2014-N-5)

DOHMH did not effectively administer certain financial aspects of the contract. As a result, CUCS overbilled DOHMH by about $1.06 million during the year ended June 30, 2013. The overbillings include $1.05 million of improperly claimed personal service expenses and $11,889 of unsupported or inappropriate non-personal service costs.

State University of New York Downstate Medical Center Review of Growe Technologies Inc. (2015-BSE1-03)

In April 2014, Downstate entered into a state-funded, non-competitive, single-source contract with Growe for electronic medical health record services. Auditors found Downstate paid up to $1.3 million more than necessary by using a non-competitive procurement rather than bidding the services or using existing competitive contracts available to Downstate. The decision to use the non-competitive contract was based on unsupported claims from Downstate officials.