New York State lawmakers are allegedly using taxpayers’ money to pay off their Albany homes.
Legislators who own homes were found to be putting their “per diem” payments – a $172 a day reimbursement when they’re in session – toward their mortgages.
The New York Post found six senators and two Assembly members with Albany-area properties who were using the “per diem” payments on real estate. The biggest offender, according to the Post, was Assemblyman Herman Farrell Jr., a Harlem Democrat who collected $21,632 in per-diem payments in 2014. He owns a $147,000 townhouse near the Assembly chamber.
However, the Post found that nothing prevents property owners from collecting the per diem money, as no receipts are required. [NYP] – Christopher Cameron