NYCkayaker 79 street boat basin fails audit

[mike]

http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/press/2008_releases/pr08-01-007.shtm

full PDF available for download 

New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today released an audit
of the West 79th Street Boat Basin finding a series of fiscal irregularities
that raise serious concerns about the possibility of fraud. 

"The Parks Department has dropped the ball and seriously failed to properly
monitor one of its operations," Thompson said. "The fact that the Parks
Department was asleep at the switch has left the door wide open to potential
fraud. We need to make sure that the City gets every dollar that it's due."

Specifically, the Comptroller's auditors found a complete disregard for
internal controls over the collecting, recording, and reporting of revenues
generated from all sources, including dockage, mooring, storage, parking,
and boater services.  

The Parks Department's Marine Division manages, operates, and maintains the
Boat Basin in Riverside Park; the Boat Basin offers seasonal and transient
dockage, seasonal and transient mooring, monthly and daily parking, and
storage for kayaks and canoes. Fees are charged for these services, as well
as other boater services, and forwarded to the Parks Department's Revenue
Division.

M