200 Letters Sent, Mostly to NY Lawyers, Whose Dual Service Raises 'Red Flags'
Concerned that professionals are double-dipping into public payrolls, New York’s Attorney General Andrew Cuomo has sent 200 letters throughout the state letting individuals know that their employment arrangements have raised “red flags” to investigators and may be improper.
Newsday reports that more than half the letters went to lawyers and seek detailed information about jobs and benefits since 2000.
“We have found waste, fraud and abuse in all corners of the state regarding public benefits improperly awarded to outside consultants. This is a significant step in the expansion of the investigation,” Cuomo’s spokesman John Milgrim is quoted saying.
Investigators are reportedly focusing on workers who appear on multiple public payrolls and who have private businesses or employment in addition to their public jobs.
A statewide investigation of double-dipping was launched after Newsday reported in February on the matter of Lawrence Reich, who was listed as a full-time employee for five school districts. Reich said at the time that he did nothing wrong and that his billing arrangements were common.
