http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/gov_paterson_puts_brakes_on_contracts_yJH9JwGS4HPhIflcA9TATL
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/gov_paterson_puts_brakes_on_contracts_yJH9JwGS4HPhIflcA9TATL
Last Updated: 2:49 PM, September 30, 2010
Posted: 2:49 PM, September 30, 2010
Gov. Paterson dealt a devastating blow today to the sprawling social services empire of Brooklyn Democratic leader Vito Lopez by ordering a an immediate hold on $25 million worth of existing and new contracts pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.
The move came 11 days after Mayor Bloomberg delayed $12 million in new city contracts to the Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council while awaiting a sign-off from state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo's Charities Bureau.
There's no indication when -- or if -- that sign-off will be forthcoming.
"Check with the feds," said one official when asked when the freze might end.
Ridgewood Bushwick is being scrutinized by federal authorities as well as the city's Department of Investigation, which issued a report earlier this month that uncovered fraud and corruption in one of its units and a board of directors out of touch with what was going on.
State commissioners received a memo on Monday from budget director Robert Megna and acting director of state operations Mark Leinung ordering a halt to all "existing and pending state contracts" with the social services giant founded by Lopez 34 years ago.
"In keeping with Governor Paterson's continued efforts to ensure fiscal accountability and integrity, we ask that your agency report any potential issues relative to these contracts to your respective deputy secretary and budget examiner," the memo said.
Ridgewood Bushwick has about $25 million in state contracts and $75 million in city contracts to run a wide array of housing, youth and senior citizens programs
תוקן על ידי היראים ב- 04/10/2010 00:17:11
Last Updated: 7:36 AM, November 13, 2010
Posted: 12:30 AM, November 13, 2010
The city acted strictly on its own in moving ahead with $12.5 million in contracts involving the embattled Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, officials said yesterday.
As The Post first reported, the city proceeded after being notified by the state attorney general's Charities Bureau that the politically powerful entity tied to Assemblyman and Brooklyn Democratic leader Vito Lopez (pictured) had filed its paperwork.
But the AG's office yesterday called such notification a routine administrative act and not a seal of approval and stressed that it was continuing to investigate Ridgewood Bushwick, which Lopez founded 34 years ago.
"The paperwork remains under review in conjunction with two federal investigations," said a spokesman for Attorney General (and Gov.-elect) Andrew Cuomo.
Mayoral spokeswoman Jessica Scaperotti said the city released the stalled contracts for fear that vital services to the needy would otherwise not be met.
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תוקן על ידי פשווארסק ב- 14/11/2010 23:03:20
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