Regional Briefs – October 10, 2016

NY Probe Sought After President Quits City College

NEW YORK – The City University of New York has asked for a state investigation following the departure of its president amid allegations she misused funds from a nonprofit affiliated with the university to pay for personal expenses, the Wall Street Journal reported. Lisa Coico resigned Friday.

Vandals Desecrate Orange County Jewish Cemetery

WARWICK, N.Y. – Vandals have spray-painted swastikas and other Nazi-related graffiti on the gates of a Jewish cemetery in Orange County, the Times Herald-Record reported. None of the cemetery’s headstones were damaged. Police are investigating.

NY Increases Contracts With Women- and Minority-Owned Firms

ALBANY – New York is awarding more of its contracts to businesses owned by minorities and women. Last year’s 25 percent of state contracts given to those firms, up from 23 percent the year before, will go up to 30 percent this year. The total amount of all the contracts was $2 billion. Fifty percent were for construction projects.

New NY Rules in Effect for Disciplining Attorneys

ALBANY – New rules went into effect for investigating attorneys for misconduct. Proceedings will be kept confidential unless attorneys are disbarred or suspended. Lawyers who were impaired by drugs, alcohol or illness can have their proceeding stayed while they complete a treatment program. About 90 percent of the 11,000 complaints a year are unfounded.