DiNapoli alleges "widespread" fraud in NY Corrections department

State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli says he found evidence that a top official at the Department of Correctional Services defrauded taxpayers by more than $500,000.

The now-retired prison official, Howard Dean, allegedly conducted the scam over a 17-year period.

What’s more, his probe found that Dean’s supervisors knew his activities “were improper” and failed to take action.

This from a press statement issued a short time ago:

“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.”

“The uninterrupted fleecing of the state’s treasury for 17 years by Mr. Dean could not have occurred without the acquiescence, if not the complicity, of his supervisors,” Fisch said. “Mr. Dean owes the taxpayers of New York State the 20 percent of his paycheck which he never earned, but swindled, and his managers are no less accountable.”

Dean served as the director of the Food Production Center or “cook-chill,” located on the grounds of the Oneida Correctional Facility in Rome, until his retirement in August 2008. As the director, his salary was $112,743. He is currently collecting a pension of $57,381.

Read the full statement here.