ALBANY, NY — Joseph Hernandez, the Republican and Conservative Party nominee for New York State Comptroller, today called for greater transparency and accountability in New York’s fight against fraud, waste and abuse after an analysis of state Inspector General data found investigative complaints increased from 2,166 in 2022 to 7,594 in 2025, an increase of more than 250%. Complaint volume remains elevated in 2026, with 5,621 complaints recorded through August 10 alone.
“New Yorkers are stepping up and reporting fraud, waste and abuse in their government, but what happens next?” said Hernandez. “How many complaints are investigated? How many are referred to prosecutors? How many lead to arrests? How much taxpayer money is recovered? After 19 years as Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli should be able to give New Yorkers those answers.”
DiNapoli’s own office operates a fraud hotline for New Yorkers to report allegations involving taxpayer money. His office touts more than 420 arrests and $130 million recovered through its anti-corruption efforts, but does not provide taxpayers with a simple annual accounting showing how many fraud complaints are received, how many are investigated or referred, and how those complaints are ultimately resolved.
“DiNapoli wants credit when there is an arrest, but taxpayers deserve to see the whole picture,” Hernandez said. “If someone comes forward to report fraud, that complaint should not disappear into an Albany black box. We should track every credible allegation from the day it comes in until the case is closed.”
Hernandez also called for stronger incentives for whistleblowers who help uncover fraud involving taxpayer dollars. New York’s False Claims Act already allows whistleblowers who bring successful fraud cases on behalf of the government to receive a share of the money recovered. Hernandez said there is no reason the Comptroller’s office should not use the same principle to encourage New Yorkers to expose waste, fraud and abuse.
“New York already knows whistleblower rewards work,” Hernandez said. “If you help us uncover fraud and recover taxpayer money, you should have an incentive to come forward. As Comptroller, I will work with the Legislature to establish a whistleblower reward program and make sure credible complaints are followed through to a final outcome.”
Hernandez said that as Comptroller, his office would publish an annual fraud accountability report showing complaints received, investigations opened, referrals to law enforcement, arrests, prosecutions and taxpayer dollars recovered. He would also aggressively promote the Comptroller’s fraud hotline and strengthen coordination with state and local prosecutors to ensure credible cases are pursued.
“Albany spends hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars every year. Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken from New Yorkers,” Hernandez said. “The Comptroller is supposed to be the taxpayers’ watchdog. After 19 years of Tom DiNapoli, it is time we had one.”