State tells East Hampton Housing Authority to tighten finances after audit

The Office of the New York State Comptroller called on the East Hampton Housing Authority Board of Commissioners to tighten financial controls after an audit found the authority did not record all financial transactions properly.

Thomas P. DiNapoli said in a recently released audit report that between Jan. 1, 2015, and Sept. 30, 2016, the board overseeing the authority did not make sure that the housing agency’s books matched monthly bank statements.

Although not all issued checks were recorded, they “appeared to be for appropriate authority purposes,” said the report, which was released March 24.

Arthur Goldman, the chair of the five-member board, said in a letter dated March 10 to the state comptroller’s office that the board planned to meet to discuss a corrective action plan within 45 days.

“Our administration and board recognizes that there is always room for betterment in our implementation and delivery of services, and we do always seek to employ best practices, continually develop staff skills, and work at the highest level of professionalism in our field with all the resources at our disposal,” Goldman wrote.

The housing authority manages three properties — including one in Montauk — with a total of 93 housing units and is developing a fourth property with 40 housing units in Amagansett.

By Rachelle Blidner

rachelle.blidner@newsday.com@rachelleblidner

Rachelle Blidner covers Suffolk County government, politics and breaking news.