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State releases audit on Saratoga Housing Authority
Posted at: 11/16/2012 6:12 PM
By: Jessica Layton
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New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has released the findings of a 19 month audit of the Saratoga Housing Authority.
Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson requested the audit after complaints from tenants and taxpayers.
The audit found that (in the state's words) the authority didn't compensate its executive director in accordance with its personnel policy.
From 2011 to 2012 Ed Spychalski made nearly $145,000 to oversee 339 housing units.
In Schenectady and Troy the executive directors oversee around 1,000 housing units and have a salary in the mid $90,000s.
The audit also highlights $12,000 in questionable travel costs and out of state trips.
And it says the authority failed to appropriately handle a widespread bed bug infestation at one of its apartment complexes.
NewsChannel 13 asked the state's deputy comptroller if taxpayers in this situation were taken for a ride.
"Comptroller DiNapoli's report really highlights the need for the board to take a more active role, more closely scrutinize expenditures that occur. I wouldn't know if we'd quite characterize it as taken for a ride but I would think there are some things that could be tightened up," said Deputy Comptroller Steve Hancox.
Housing Authority Executive Director Ed Spychalski told me by phone, he wouldn't be able to address the findings of the audit Friday night. But the organization is holding a press conference at 11am Saturday.
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