Reports

This interim report is being issued as part of an ongoing investigation by the Office of the New York City Comptroller into the City’s planning and preparation for and response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this investigation is to identify the problems encountered by the City preparing for and combatting the pandemic and to recommend actions to prevent similar fiscal and operational challenges from arising in future public health emergencies.

Millions of Americans still face housing insecurity as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 15 percent behind on rent payments at the end of June.1 Households in New York State (22 percent) and the New York City metropolitan area (26 percent), excluding counties outside the State, have an even greater share of residents behind on rent. New York City not only houses the majority of the State’s renters (63 percent), but also had relatively high rates of rent-burdened tenants prior to the pandemic.

The objective of our audit was to assess the city’s financial controls related to the initial federal aid Denver received for its pandemic response efforts. This audit specifically focused on the $126.9 million the city received from the federal Coronavirus Relief Fund. The audit found that, in 2020, the Department of Finance sufficiently managed the city’s progress in spending federal coronavirus relief funds on pandemic-related expenses, but the city should also better document individual transactions. Additionally, we found problems related to how the city accounted for the interest it...

We have audited the accompanying financial statements of the Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund (Trust Fund), an individual nonshared proprietary fund of the State of Illinois, Department of Employment Security, as of and for the year ended June 30, 2020. We found that the Department outsourced unemployment benefit claims processing to a service organization for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and the corresponding Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits. The system processing these claims had material weaknesses in the design and operation of internal controls and...

The Office of the State Auditor (OSA) and the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) are reminding New Mexicans to be aware as fraudsters perpetuate numerous schemes related Unemployment Insurance Claims. New Mexicans are urged to follow the guidance provided below and take immediate action as recommended to protect themselves.

The Comptroller’s Office surveyed Ulster residents on potential uses of the American Rescue Plan funds. The survey was promoted on social media from March 24 through May 3, 2021, and in electronic newsletters to the Comptroller’s Office distribution lists. Two hundred and twelve people responded. Respondents were provided with 14 potential options for the use of funds and asked to grade each on a score of 1 to 10.

The objective of our review was to determine whether the County’s reported use of CARES Act funding was in accordance with United States Department of the Treasury (Treasury) requirements and supported by sufficient and allowable expenditures. We conclude the County’s reported use of CARES Act funding was in accordance with Treasury requirements and supported by sufficient and allowable expenditures.

This report will provide (1) a descriptive evaluation of Veterans Integrated Service Network facilities’ pandemic readiness and response as determined by recent Comprehensive Healthcare Inspection Program inspections.
 

The program guidance issued by ACCD on April 27, 2021 for the Economic Recovery Bridge Grant program uses 2020 federal tax loss to establish eligibility for grants consistent with the requirements of H.315 (Act 9). Focusing on tax loss may help target limited resources to businesses that need assistance to remain viable. However, clarification is needed in the program guidance to avoid reliance on a tax-based measure that is not representative of losses associated with the COVID-19 public health emergency and to prevent grant awards that exceed business need.

We have conducted a statewide audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. This report encompasses the year ended June 30, 2020, and is required for the State to continue receiving federal financial assistance, which, as shown in this report, totals approximately $17 billion.