The New York State Appellate Division has denied the appeal filed by the Town of North Hempstead seeking to stop an audit of the Clinton G. Martin Park District by Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos, according to a press release Thursday from the comptroller's office.
In its decision, the court established that the comptroller’s office has the authority, pursuant to the both the Nassau County Charter and the New York State Constitution, to audit towns and park districts, accoring to Maragos.
“We will review the decision and proceed accordingly,” said Town of North Hempstead spokesman, Collin Nash.
The decision represents the second time that a court has found the town’s contentions to be without merit and have ruled that the comptroller has the legal authority to audit the towns and park districts.
On June 17, 2011, the Nassau County Supreme Court stated that the comptroller’s audit should move forward.
Maragos said it's time for the town to put an end to unnecessary litigation.
“The courts have spoken and affirmed the authority of the comptroller to audit this park district,” Comptroller Maragos said the release. "In the interests of governmental transparency, there is no reason for the Town of North Hempstead to continue to conceal its records from the public’s right to know how their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent."
