ALBANY, N.Y. (WNYT) – Albany’s city auditor says invoice reviews in the first half of 2026 saved taxpayers nearly $2.5 million by catching errors before payments went out.
Albany Chief City Auditor Sam Fein released the Office of Audit & Control’s 2026 Mid-Year Invoice Auditing Report, which says the office reviewed more than 7,000 invoices from January through June 2026. According to the report, the office found incorrect totals, duplicate submissions, unnecessary services, improper sales tax charges and unwarranted fees before city funds left public accounts.
“Independent oversight is most effective when it prevents waste before it occurs,” said Chief City Auditor Sam Fein. “By reviewing every invoice line by line, our office protected nearly $2.5 million in taxpayer funds during the first half of this year. These findings demonstrate the importance of strong pre-payment controls, careful scrutiny, and constructive collaboration with city departments.”…