Deputy Commissioner Fired in Wake of Inspector General's Report

ALBANY, NY (03/19/2009)(readMedia)-- Division of Human Rights (DHR) Deputy Commissioner Thomas Shanahan was fired Wednesday after New York State Inspector General Joseph Fisch determined that he used his state-issued credit card to buy personal items and conducted private law work on his state computer without official approval.

The Inspector General found that Shanahan, 41, of Manhattan, used his state computer to draft legal documents for private clients even though his request to do outside legal work was explicitly denied.

Shanahan was counseled in May 2008 for using his state credit card for personal business on seven separate occasions at the Food Emporium, Zheng's Lucky Sunday Garden and Duane Reade pharmacy in Manhattan and Valvoline oil change in Latham, and he submitted reimbursement. In all, Shanahan logged $530 in improper credit charges and travel expenses, according to the report.

The Inspector General's report recommended disciplinary action against Shanahan as well as DHR Compliance Director Lawrence Wizman, who failed to report some of Shanahan's unauthorized charges. DHR will place a counseling memo in Wizman's personnel file and give him additional training, the report states.

Inspector General Joseph Fisch said, "State resources, whether a credit card or computer, should not be used for personal expenses or to support a private law practice."

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