Murray - Success! Finally, a Forensic Audit of the MTA

Freshman Assemblyman Pleased Comptroller Finally Conducting Forensic Audit Murray Has Been Calling For Since March; Says Oversight Board of Authority Needed
Freshman Assemblyman Dean Murray today announced that he is pleased that New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has finally agreed with the East Patchogue lawmaker, and decided to take action in regard to Murray's repeated requests for a forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)."There is not a day that goes by that I don't run into someone who is fed up with the MTA's blatant mismanagement and waste, and is outraged that they have to pay for it - regardless of whether they ever step foot on a train, subway or bus," said Murray. "While this forensic audit is certainly a good start, it can't stop with just overtime issues. I'm calling on the comptroller's office to follow this audit with a forensic audit of the MTA's contracts and dealings with subcontractors."Murray has been steadfast in demanding accountability and oversight of the MTA, maintaining that better fiscal controls over waste, fraud and abuse should have been used - instead of implementing the MTA payroll tax and other taxes and fees Long Island families and businesses have been forced to pay: March 3 - Just two weeks after taking office, Assemblyman Murray sent a letter to the comptroller, signed by 27 other lawmakers, calling for a forensic audit of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. April 11 - Assemblyman Murray hosted a press conference at the New York State Capitol, reiterating the need for a forensic audit of the MTA. May 13 - In response to the comptroller's announcement of an audit focusing on service interruptions and management efficiency, Murray stated that while this is a start, it falls short of what is needed…a forensic audit of the MTA. July 1 - NYS Comptroller released the findings of an audit that revealed significant mismanagement of the MTA's real estate holdings. July 16 - Assemblymen Murray and Marcus Molinaro (R-Red Hook) sent the state Comptroller and the Inspector General another letter calling once again, for a much more detailed and extensive forensic audit. August 2 - In response to the MTA's announcement that they plan to increase fares and cut more services, Assemblymen Murray and Michael Montesano (R-Glen Head) once again demanded that before the MTA hikes fares and cuts more services, that the comptroller conduct a forensic audit and that a Fiscal Oversight Control Board be established.

"Our residents and small businesses are fed up with paying taxes, fees and fare hikes for the MTA, and then seeing a never-ending stream of headlines watching their money go toward fraud and abuse. They're frustrated, they're mad, and they demand accountability - and I couldn't agree with them more," said Assemblyman Murray. "In addition to these forensic audits, I also believe that this exemplifies the need for the formation of a Fiscal Oversight Control Board of the MTA. Clearly, they have demonstrated that they are incapable of watching over themselves."