Albany County DA’s Office Announces Reforms and Discovery of Unused Grants

The Albany County District Attorney’s office announced several reforms and nearly $1 million in grant money left unspent by the previous DA’s administration.

Reforms and Achievements

Among the accomplishments listed, Kindlon’s office says they’ve sent 58 people who’ve possessed a gun illegally to jail since January. “Gun crime is a surge on our streets, it is perpetrating violence so everything I can do to get people who have been convicted of illegal gun possession, get those guns off the streets get those individuals off the streets“ said Kindlon.

Financial Management

They’re also getting their finances in order. Kindlon says an audit of the DA’s office led to the discovery of five unused state grants totaling over $982,000. The money will go to the office’s anti-violence and victim support programs. “It was basically just sitting on the shelf. We were able to take control of it grants that have been languishing and unaccounted for, and other grants totaling more than $300,000” said Kindlon.

Discovery of Unused Grants

How did the grant money end up — in his words — “sitting on the table”?
“I’m not entirely sure why the previous administration chose not to fill out all the paperwork to get more than $600,000 in grant money” Kindlon explained. “This is money that had been allocated planned and spent so if the paperwork hadn’t been done it was money that ultimately the taxpayer was going to be on the hook for” he continued.

Office Restructurings

In addition, the DA announced office restructurings including a reestablished financial crimes bureau to tackle white-collar crime. An expanded partnership with the attorney general’s office, and a regional task force on organized retail crime.

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Conclusion

The Albany County DA’s office has made significant strides in reforming and restructuring the office, including the discovery of nearly $1 million in unused grants. These reforms aim to tackle gun crime, white-collar crime, and organized retail crime, while also providing support to victims.

FAQs

Q: How much grant money was discovered by the Albany County DA’s office?
A: The DA’s office discovered five unused state grants totaling over $982,000.
Q: What will the grant money be used for?
A: The money will go to the office’s anti-violence and victim support programs.
Q: What are some of the office restructurings announced by the DA?
A: The DA announced a reestablished financial crimes bureau, an expanded partnership with the attorney general’s office, and a regional task force on organized retail crime.