Apr 9, 2008 7:56 pm US/Eastern
City Comptroller To Audit Council Over Slush Fund
Thompson's 'Gutsy' Move About To Put Quinn On Hotseat
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
There is a major crackdown underway on the New York City Council.
Slush funds, creative accounting and now the city comptroller is calling for an audit to make sure your tax dollars aren't being misued.
There has been only one time that City Comptroller William Thompson's office ever reviewed a City Council finance matter. It was nothing on the scale of the major overhaul he is asking for in light of recent stories about council money going to non-existent organizations.
Even Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who says her office had already contacted Thompson's office suggesting such a review of council finances, was a little taken aback by Thompson's going public.
"What I can say is, obviously when we uncovered the practices that we outlined last week we had concerns. We had concerns so we gave that information to the Department of Investigation and to the U.S. Attorney's office," Quinn said.
However, none of this is taking place in a vacuum. Both Thompson and Quinn are taking steps to possibly run against each other for mayor.
When Thompson learned that organizations that did not exist were getting council money he said he was "Stunned and shocked. I think that the one thing … there's always be discretionary spending but never, I don't think anybody's ever seen the creation or use of fictitious phantom organizations."
Political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said for Thomson to launch this investigation took some guts.
"A lot of people see this as political, but he has to exercise his responsibilities as the chief auditor of the city of New York," Sheinkopf said. "And he stood up and said now is the time."
Is Thompson, the city comptroller, required by the city charter to oversee City Council finances? Yes. Is there a political subtext to this? Might Thompson and Quinn face off in a future mayoral race? Yes.
Council Speaker Quinn's office stresses it was the one that asked for a review.
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