By John Tozzi
Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said his office would scrutinize member items, which have come under fire as funding for lawmakers' pet projects. But Padavan defended the grants that fund the Whitestone group and other nonprofits, saying Albany has built safeguards into the process to make sure taxpayer money is used appropriately.Padavan said the organization, the Associazione Sacchesi D'Americo, has provided community services from its 149th Street site for years and he had no knowledge of any violations.”That I can't address, I don't know. All I know is they've been in that place for years,” he said.Padavan secured two grants of $15,000 each in 2005 and 2006 for the group.The organization, also known as the Societa di Mutuo Soccorso Gioventu di Sacco, operates a senior center and other community services out of 12-24 149th St. in Whitestone, according to its president, Benny Polito.It also has several celebrations each year, including an annual feast in conjunction with the nearby Church of St. Luke. Polito said the society was formed years ago by people who came from the same town in Italy and is now open to everyone.The property is a detached home in a residential district. The city Department of Buildings cited the organization in 2001 for illegal occupancy, describing it as a “dwelling now converted to a social club,” according to inspection records available online. The group paid an $800 fine at the time.DOB spokeswoman Kate Lindquist confirmed that the address is not permitted to house a community facility. Buildings records show the group filed plans in 2004 “to establish [a] non-profit recreation center on first floor and relocation of dwelling unit on the second floor.” The application was denied by a Buildings Department plan examiner.Polito, who said he has been president of the group for three years, was aware of the problem and said he planned to get an architect and make a new application.Padavan's funding, administered through the state Parks Department, was designated to “support cultural outreach programs,” according to the funding request. Polito said the money went to support the group's operations and site enhancements, including cement and electrical work and installing a bocce court.While Padavan said he could not address the specific questions about the group's site, he vigorously defended the member item process. He has disclosed his grants annually, even before a court ordered all such state grants to be made public, and he pointed out that City Council members' grants are not public.Moreover, he said the state grants are vetted by the offices of the comptroller, the attorney general and the agency distributing the funds. And Padavan said groups do not get money in advance. They must submit receipts to get reimbursed.”There are all kind of safeguards,” he said. “In my 34 years there's never been a problem. No one's ever gotten money inappropriately or for a purpose which it was not intended.”Reach reporter John Tozzi at news@timesledger.com or call 718-229-0300, Ext. 174.
