Comptroller's Audit Finds Double Dipping at State Agencies

An audit by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli finds a pattern of state workers double dipping at state agencies and authorities.

DiNapoli audited six state agencies and authorities, including the MTA and the departments of prison and mental health, as well as the state's court system. His office found that out of 345 employees randomly stamped, 75 regularly violated time and attendance policies by holding two jobs simultaneously and often fudging time sheets to cover it up.

"As we find too often, the proper controls have not been in place and the agencies need to do a better job," he said.

Other workers were found to have abused sick leave and exaggerated the amount of time it took to travel from one job to another. DiNapoli said the workers were overpaid by nearly $500,000. The agencies and authorities said they're tightening their policies to stop the abuses.

In a statement via email, Aaron Donovan, a spokesman for the MTA, said the authority "will investigate the reports of specific inappropriate behavior referenced in the audit and take appropriate disciplinary actions as required." He also said the authority will remind employees about complying with its Code of Ethics.