Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star the New York State Authoriities Budget Office Tue., Apr. 28, released a report, which found the Columbia Economic Development Corporation had several potential conflicts of interest in its recent dealings with Ginsberg’s Foods. The ABO issued the report following the investigation of a complaint from the organization GhentCANN over the sale of a 33-acra parcel owned by the CEDC to DNJ Properties LLC for $1 as part of the Ginsberg's Foods expansion in Claverack and Ghent. In the report, the ABO cited former and current CEDC board members David Ginsberg, David Crawford, Robert Sherwood, and Bill Better for multiple, potential conflicts of interest. GhentCANN representative Patti Matheny said she was unaware an investigation took place after the complaint was submitted last year. She said she found out only after the report had been released. Matheny said she hoped the findings would lead to more transparency at the CEDC. The ABO did determine the $1 land sale was legal. As part of its mission, the state ABO investigates and acts on complaints concerning the failure of a public authority to comply with state law. The full ABO report can be found online at ABO [dot] NY [dot] gov. NOTE: The Columbia Economic Development Corporation is an underwriter on WGXC.
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State finds multiple conflicts in Ginsberg's deal
Apr 30, 2015 12:02 am
Arthur Cusano is reporting in the Register Star the New York State Authoriities Budget Office Tue., Apr. 28, released a report, which found the Columbia Economic Development Corporation had several potential conflicts of interest in its recent dealings with Ginsberg’s Foods. The ABO issued the report following the investigation of a complaint from the organization GhentCANN over the sale of a 33-acra parcel owned by the CEDC to DNJ Properties LLC for $1 as part of the Ginsberg's Foods expansion in Claverack and Ghent. In the report, the ABO cited former and current CEDC board members David Ginsberg, David Crawford, Robert Sherwood, and Bill Better for multiple, potential conflicts of interest. GhentCANN representative Patti Matheny said she was unaware an investigation took place after the complaint was submitted last year. She said she found out only after the report had been released. Matheny said she hoped the findings would lead to more transparency at the CEDC. The ABO did determine the $1 land sale was legal. As part of its mission, the state ABO investigates and acts on complaints concerning the failure of a public authority to comply with state law. The full ABO report can be found online at ABO [dot] NY [dot] gov. NOTE: The Columbia Economic Development Corporation is an underwriter on WGXC.