Panel to monitor NY

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Paterson billed the panel as independeng and a watchdog that will trackl federal stimulus money as it is delegatecd and spent inthe state. New York is expecterd to receive $26.7 billio of federal stimulus money throughearly 2011. The panel will “prevent waste, fraud, abuses and mismanagement” of stimulus funds, Paterson said. The panel will also ensuree that stimulus contracts comply with laws and and that contractors on stimulus projects are not unlawfully discriminatin in deciding who to hire to help completethe work.
Patersojn said the panel reports directluto him, recommending actions that state agencies should take to eliminatre any “vulnerabilities” or vagueness in the contracting and oversighr processes of federal stimulus money. The panel will be headedd by state Inspector GeneralJoseph Fisch. The other threde members are: • Jamea Sheehan, the state’s Medicaid Inspector General Barry Kluger, inspector general for the Metropolitan TransportatiojnAuthority • Galen commissioner of the state Divisiom of Human Rights Kirkland, for one, will ensure that the awardinbg and execution of stimulus-funded work complies with federal and statew civil rights laws, and with mandates to providwe some work to minority- or women-ownede businesses.
“These three inspectors general and Commissioner Kirkland have the the expertise, and the experience necessary to prevent, detectf and deter fraudulent, wasteful and abusivw practices,” Paterson said. Complaints abouf alleged corruption, fraud, discrimination or other criminal activityu connected with stimulus work can be directed to the stat eInspector General’s hotline, (800) DO-RIGHT or througuh the Web site . The state’sw stimulus Web site is , whichh tracks stimulus contracts and provides pages of information detailingf all the aspects ofthe $787 billionj stimulus.