An audit report was filed on June 30, 2003 on the compliance of Sterling Mets, L.P., (New York Mets) with their lease agreement and fees they owed the city, specifically those incurred in the time period January 1 tp December 31, 2001. It was determined that Sterling Mets owed the city a total of $4,560,631 which accounts for understating revenue, overstating allowable deductions and credits, and previous audits for which Sterling Mets did not pay their dues. It was recommended that Sterling Mets pay their dues in full to the City. (FN03-115A)
From an audit conducted on the Off-Track Betting Corporation, it was found that the corporation has adequate controls to ensure that employee reimbursements and charges for General Expenses were reasonable. However, the corporation needs to properly document its expenses and reimbursements.
From an audit conducted on the New York Yankees's maintenance of Yankee Stadium, it was found that the team overstated rental credits needed for maintenance. The team must ensure that all maintenance credits are properly documented and approved before submitting them to the Comptroller's Office.
From an audit conducted on the Department of Sanitation, it was determined that the department has adequate controls over the billing, collecting, depositing, and disbursing of funds located in the Special Events Clean-Up account. However, the department neglected the existence of other accounts and did not follow the fiduciary account agreement.
From an audit conducted on the American Museum of Natural History, it was determined that the museum complied with the requirements, procedures, and bylaws set forth by the Department of Cultural Affairs and has adequate control over its financial and operational processes. However, the museum must address timekeeping errors.
From an audit conducted on the Staten Island Yankees, it was found that the team has internal control weaknesses. From this, it could not be determined whether the team made appropriate payments to the New York City Economic Development Corporation. The team also lacks punctuality when making payments and must work to pay off outstanding fees and overall, improve its internal controls.
In June 2001, Brooklyn Baseball Company, L.L.C, and the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation
entered into a 20-year lease agreement. This grants the Cyclones the exclusive rights to use KeySpan Park on Surf Avenue
in Brooklyn. This audit determined whether the Cyclones complied with their lease agreement with the City; paid
the appropriate fees to the City and whether they paid them on time. The Cyclones paid the City $1,131,196 in rental
fees and Parks paid the Cyclones $200,000
related to net parking lot income. Audit findings include the significant weakness in the Cyclones internal controls
that prevented the determination of whether actual attendance, no-shows, and recreated area attendees were reported
accurately, and whether all appropriate fees due the City were paid. The Cyclones did not report $98,600 recorded on
their books as rent revenue, therefore owe the City $49,300 in additional fees. The audit recommends to base actual
attendance on their turnstile counts, as required by the lease, along with other recommendations.
From an audit conducted on the New York City Public/Private Initiatives, Inc., the corporation adequately recorded and made payments given to beneficiaries. However, there is missing documentation, and the corporation can improve its recordkeeping to ensure that all beneficiaries receive the proper amount of money alloted to them.
An audit report was completed on June 26, 2003 on the shortcomings and discrepancies in the Department of Parks and Recreation. The Department failed to maintain adequate control of its issuing and processing of permits, as well as the collection of fees that it is entitled to for the use of public spaces for athletic and special events. The report gives 25 recommendations as to how the Department can adjust these issues. (MG02-117A)
The Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT) manages the
Department of Finance's system software and hardware. The audit determines that the Department has adequate controls
to protect both its mainframe and network environments. Security matters should be addressed such as the mainframe
environment containing the Department's information protection policies and procedures are not consolidated in one
document. In addition, there is no agency virus response plan.