Public Safety Committee – August Meeting
At this month’s meeting of the Public Safety Committee, District Attorney William Fitzpatrick came to ask the committee to accept $3 million from New York State – payment, if you will – to cover his office’s work in two high-profile cases you’ve probably heard about in the news. The D.A. was appointed by the N.Y.S Attorney General as Special Prosecutor to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the deaths of two inmates at correctional facilities in Oneida County. The state funding is to help offset expenses associated with these cases, and the D.A. Fitzpatrick told the committee if accepted, the money will be used for expert witnesses and travel/hotel costs from himself and two other D.A.’s from his office also working these cases.
He also explained his intention to use a portion of the money to help Vera House get out of financial debt. The D.A. says the agency, which helps domestic and sexual abuse survivors, is struggling after mismanagement under previous administrators and lost grant money from that time. He is confident the new leaders will turn things around.
“We can’t survive in this community without Vera House” the District Attorney said. “They have thousands and thousands of clients. They are invaluable to my office in making sure the cases get the prosecution and [the debt] is through no fault of the current administration. This would be a bridge to get them in good financial shape and solid for 2026, and the grant money would then start flowing again.”
I support the state money being used in this way, but took a moment to ask the D.A. his feelings about the future of Vera House and whether a plan is in place to prevent future mismanagement. He’s confident the agency is on the right track.
Acceptance of the state funding now goes before the Ways & Means Committee on August 26th, and if approved there, before the full Legislature at September Session.
