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The audit found that the Westchester School for Special Children doled out contracts to family members, bought expensive cars and entered into questionable contracts with companies connected to its board members and executives, the Comptroller's Office said.
The audit report was released Wednesday by State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's Office.
One example of questionable spending pointed out in the audit was a nearly $100,000 lobbying contract that was paid to the firm of former State Sen. Nick Spano, who served jail time for tax evasion, according to a report by the Democrat and Chronicle. The special education school’s executive director is Spano’s brother, Leonard, according to the report.
The school provides special education to ages 3 to 21.
“Between 2007 and 2011, the school had nearly $49 million in contracts with New York City schools and nine districts in Westchester, including the cities of Yonkers and Mount Vernon. It also received payment from Westchester County for pre-school programs,” the Democrat and Chronicle reported.
Most of the money is reimbursed by the State Education Department.
The New York State Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the audit’s findings, according to the report. An attorney for the school apparently disputed the audit’s findings and said it would be up to the New York State Education Department to determine if any money was misused, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
To read the full Democrat and Chronicle story, click here.
To read DiNapoli's audit report, visit the Comptroller's website. The audit can be viewed online as well.
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