State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Oneida County District Attorney Todd Carville, and the New York State Police today announced long-time superintendent of the Utica City School District (UCSD), Bruce Karam, pleaded guilty to the felony charge of public corruption for using taxpayer funds to help support a political campaign relating to the 2021 Utica City School Board election and a non-school related fundraiser.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, trustee of the New York State Common Retirement Fund (Fund), today announced various initiatives to address diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues at portfolio companies, including filing shareholder proposals at Tesla Inc., Wells Fargo and Co., Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc., and United Health Group Inc. DiNapoli’s actions come as corporate DEI initiatives are under attack, and reports that some companies are scaling back DEI efforts.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli released the following statement on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) adoption of the Climate Change Disclosure Rule:

“This is a significant victory for investors who are committed to mitigating the real investment risks associated with climate change.

“Today’s action by the SEC will greatly improve the state pension fund's ability to assess and address risks and opportunities as we navigate our path to net zero by 2040.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced today the following audits have been issued.

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

In January, the Office of the State Comptroller approved 1,493 contracts for state agencies and public authorities valued at $3.7 billion and approved nearly 1.9 million payments worth nearly $13.7 billion. The office rejected 165 contracts and related transactions valued at $4.3 billion and nearly 850 payments valued at more than $18.5 million, primarily for mistakes, insufficient support for charges, and improper payments. More information on these contracts and payments is available at Open Book New York.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced a tentative schedule for the planned bond sales for New York State, New York City and their major public authorities during the months of March and April of 2024.

The planned sales of $8.86 billion include $4.77 billion of new money and $4.09 billion of refundings and reofferings as follows:

Better-than-projected revenues and planned cost savings benefited New York City’s budget outlook for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, but funding for education and social services remain uncertain in the future, according to State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli’s analysis of the city’s latest financial plan.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg Jr. today announced the guilty plea of CINDY TAPPE, 57, for orchestrating an approximately $3.5 million 6-year fraud relating to two New York University (“NYU”) programs. TAPPE used her position as the Director of Finance and Administration for NYU’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and Transformation of Schools (the “Metro Center”) to divert approximately $3.5 million intended for minority and women owned businesses.

New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Oswego County District Attorney Anthony J. DiMartino, Jr., and the New York State Police today announced the arrest of former Hannibal Fire Chief Chris Emmons for allegedly stealing $18,000, and Carl Emmons Sr., Chris Emmons’ father and a volunteer firefighter, for stealing over $2,500 from the fire company.