Judge Rules Comptroller Overstepped Bounds In Shelter Audit

A Supreme Court judge ruled that Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos overstepped his bounds by trying to audit the performance of the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter.

According to Newsday, Supreme Court Judge Roy Mahon blocked parts of Maragos's attempted audit that would have looked at the shelter's treatment of animals, what he called "performance audits."

The town said that Maragos was overstepping his bounds as the county's fiscal watchdog in trying to audit more than just the shelter's finances, and Mahon agreed.

Maragos told Newsday that he's asking the county attorney to appeal the decision.

Maragos, the Republican-turned-Democrat who is running for county executive, announced the audit in February after he said he received many complaints from residents and animal rights groups about conditions at the shelter. The comptroller said his office would be auditing the finances and operation of the shelter. The groups that Maragos spoke to alleged animal neglect, unnecessary deaths, unsanitary conditions and unqualified staff at the shelter.

The audit was put on hold last month when the judge stopped it pending his decision.

Photo: Patch