Congresswoman Tenney’s Statement on Potential Politicization of New York State Unemployment Insurance Audit

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) released the following statement regarding New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli's recent audit of the unemployment insurance funds distributed during the COVID-19 pandemic, which found $11 billion in fraudulent claims. 

“Ever since taking over from disgraced former governor Andrew Cuomo, Kathy Hochul has humiliated New York State with scams, lies, and corruption that rival even her corrupt predecessor,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “The fact that this damning audit was released just after New York’s gubernatorial election raises serious ethical questions about just how independently the Comptroller’s office takes its important oversight duties. I find it ironic that this audit was released a week after New Yorkers headed to the polls in an election that was among the closest in New York’s recent history. Just as concerning is that the report found at least $11 billion in COVID-19 unemployment insurance fraud. Taxpayers across this great state should have known about the Cuomo-Hochul Administration’s gross mismanagement of taxpayer funds before polls closed, not just after. New Yorkers deserve full transparency from their government, which is why I am calling on the Comptroller’s office to clarify to the people of New York why this report was released only after the election. A new Republican Congress must investigate this mismanagement and hold those accountable for abusing the taxpayers' trust.”

###