FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JULY 30, 2014

CONTACT: JENNIFER POLARO (518) 365-2675
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McLAUGHLIN: MORELAND COMMISSION

EXPENSES WARRANT AUDIT
Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin (R,C,I-Schaghticoke) today called for an audit of the
reported $350,000 tab accumulated by the Moreland Commission during its nine month existence.
He noted that this amount does not include the hundreds of thousands in payroll expenses
accumulated during the commissions tenure. The taxpayer-funded commission reportedly spent
large sums of money on data analysis and research as well as travel expenses.
It would be a complete abuse of taxpayer money and a further detriment to all New Yorkers
to not conduct an audit of the reported expenses accrued by the Moreland Commission,
McLaughlin said. In a state with already crippling taxes, how can we expect taxpayers to foot the
bill for a government entity which is under federal investigation for corruption?
McLaughlins statement follows the New York Times article charging those in the Cuomo
Administration with interference and coercion regarding subpoenas issued for Gov. Cuomo, his
allies and donors. Reports are now emerging that Regina Calcaterra, the commissions executive
director earning $175,000 per year, as well as four other staffers were still on the commissions
payroll as of last week, despite the commission dissolving in April. The four staffers have been
reassigned to other agencies but, in a possible attempt to keep information quiet, it is largely
unknown where they now work. McLaughlin has been one of the most outspoken legislators against
governmental corruption from the beginning.
Assemblyman McLaughlin represents the 107th district, which consists of parts of Rensselaer,
Columbia and Washington counties. For more information,
please visit Assemblyman McLaughlins official website.
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