Binghamton Parks & Rec director allegedly stole nearly $108,000
ALBANY - The director of Binghamton’s Parks and Recreation Department pocketed nearly $108,000 in taxpayer funds and allegedly used the cash to pay for his mortgage, summer rental, car lease, and loans to his sons, according to an audit by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli.
"This persistent pilfering of taxpayer dollars could have been avoided,” DiNapoli said. “This case points out the importance of oversight and control.”
DiNapoli’s auditors found that Parks and Recreation Director John Whalen, a 39-year city employee, skimmed cash fees collected by the city for youth sponsorships, uniforms, softball and basketball. The fee money was deposited into an unsupervised account with bank statements mailed to Whalen’s home.
The alleged thefts occurred between 2007 and 2012. The Broome County District Attorney’s office in April charged Whalen with grand larceny in the second degree. The case is pending in Broome County Court. The city has since closed the Recreation Department’s unsupervised bank account and implemented stricter controls.
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