Archive: Business & Technology

United HealthCare and Amerigroup, managed care organizations (MCOs) that contract with the Department of Health (DOH) to provide health services under the state's Medicaid program, made at least $6.6 million in improper and questionable payments to ineligible providers over a four-year period, including almost $60,000 in payments to pharmacies for medications that were prescribed by deceased doctors, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"These organizations are being entrusted to manage public health dollars and are costing taxpayers millions in questionable payments," DiNapoli said. "My office will continue to work with the state Department of Health to ensure the improper payments are recovered and steps are taken to make sure tax dollars are not being wasted."

Tax collections totaling $19.8 billion fell short of projections for New York state in the first quarter of the state's fiscal year (SFY), a decline of $797.6 million, or 3.9 percent, from the same period last year and $454.1 million below projections, according to the June state cash report issued today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

"Personal income tax collections are off to a slower than expected start. The first quarter of the state's fiscal year ended on a cautionary note," DiNapoli said. "While it's early in the year and tax collections may improve going forward, the state should be prepared to take action if revenue remains below estimates."

Empire State Development Corp. (ESD), the entity in charge of doling out millions of dollars in tax credits to companies that pledge to expand in New York state, could not verify that many of the companies participating in the Excelsior Jobs Program met their obligations or even justify giving the businesses tax breaks in the first place, according to an audit released today by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

DiNapoli's auditors found a range of problems from lowering job creation goals after companies did not meet expectations to not verifying if jobs were full-time or part-time. ESD also could not produce evidence that several companies actually created jobs and did not simply shift jobs.

"New York state gives away millions of dollars each year in tax breaks for companies that are supposed to create jobs and expand under the Excelsior program, but ESD's oversight leaves a lot to be desired," DiNapoli said. "ESD needs to stop lowering the bar and giving companies a pass when they fall short of promises. ESD needs to ensure these businesses are not taking advantage of state taxpayers."   

Tompkins Trust Company and the Legacy Foundation announced Wednesday that three Tompkins County teachers were recognized with certificates and $500 for their outstanding efforts to improve education in their districts. This year's recipients are Jane George of Charles O. Dickerson High School, Sue Shults of Newfield Elementary School, and Marilynne Sommers of South Hill Elementary School.

Jane George was honored for her thoughtful infusion of diversity and advocacy for human rights into her instruction of high school English. She is also the advisor for 'Femtastics,' an extracurricularclub that promotesgender equality and supportssocial issuesin the schoolcommunity andin the larger Ithaca area. Ms. Georgenot only teaches student sthe skills needed to be better readers andwriters, she teachesthem tobe global thinkers andbetter citizens.

Every year, millions of consumers fall victim to cybercrime. According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2014, consumers lost more than $800 million from scams initiated through the web. In recognition of Internet Safety Month in June, Tompkins Trust Company is offering eight tips to help consumers protect themselves from online fraud.

"The Internet has become one of the most popular tools used to commit fraud and criminals are becoming more and more sophisticated with their hacking techniques," said Greg Hartz, president and CEO of Tompkins Trust Company. "As a result, it's extremely important for consumers to secure their wireless networks and filter the amount of personal information they choose to divulge online."

Construction has begun on Tompkins Financial Corporation's new headquarters building in downtown Ithaca.

Upon completion in early 2018, the 110,000 square-foot, seven-story building will consolidate over 300 employees who currently occupy seven buildings in the Ithaca area. The new facility will feature customer parking at ground level, a retail branch and ATM located on the first floor, and will allow customers access to banking and lending services, Tompkins Financial Advisors, and Tompkins Insurance Agencies all in one building.

Tompkins Financial Corporation (NYSEMKT:TMP) – Frank Fetsko, executive vice president, COO, CFO and treasurer of Tompkins Financial Corporation, was honored with a Financial & Business Executive award as the 2016 CFO of a Publicly Traded Company.

"We're extremely proud of Frank and are pleased to see him recognized," said Steve Romaine,president and CEO of Tompkins Financial Corporation. "He has helped lead our company to impressive financial results year after year."

Upscale Remodeling has received the 2016 Guildmaster with Distinction Award for showing a continued commitment to service excellence. GuildQuality, a third-party customer satisfaction surveying company based in Atlanta, has provided the Guildmaster Award since 2005 to celebrate service excellence among home builders, remodelers, and contractors.

Upscale Remodeling was one of the over 200 companies recognized by GuildQuality for delivering exceptional customer experiences.

Birdman Bats started as a hobby five years ago when Gary Malec decided to make a baseball bat for his brother Mark.  It wasn't his first bat, but he wanted this one to be special, so he came up with a logo based on Mark's illustrations.  Mark won the Junior College National Championship with the bat that year, and since then Gary has turned about 150 bats on a homemade lathe powered by a used washing machine motor he picked up for $100.  With a Kickstarter campaign Birdman Bats is ready to join the major leagues.  Matt Tucci and Nick Geisler, both of Lansing, are part of the team working on making Birdman Bats hit a home run.

"We are two hometown kids who love sports," says Tucci.  "I played baseball my whole life in Lansing.  I grew up with Steve Colt on the town hall fields, all the way back in T-ball.  Then growing up with Stu Dean and Matt Loveless and Mike Herzog and all the other coaches that I had."

Projects supported by New York's Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) produced nearly 36,000 additional jobs in 2014, an increase of 18 percent from the prior year, according to a report issued Wednesday by State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. This is DiNapoli's ninth annual report examining the performance of the state's IDAs and how these entities work to attract, retain and expand businesses within their communities.

"IDAs are an important catalyst for economic development in our state," said DiNapoli. "But as the value of tax exemptions to private businesses continues to increase, taxpayers must be reassured that their community is receiving promised benefits. Thankfully, my legislative proposal to increase transparency and scrutiny of IDAs was signed into law last year and will result in better evaluation of the economic impact they are having in New York."

Tompkins Trust Company honored seven individuals and one couple with 'James J. Byrnes Awards for Excellence' for their outstanding volunteer service to the community.

Eleven thousand dollars was donated to local charitable organizations from the bank's endowment fund through the Legacy Foundation of Tompkins County.  The honorees each designated their $1,375 award to not-for-profit organizations of their choice.


This year's individual honorees are Jody Earle of Freeville, Dan Flerlage of Ithaca, Carolina Osorio Gil of Ithaca, Leon Ginenthal of Ithaca, Joann Gruttadaurio of Ithaca, Carolyn and Howard Longhouse of Freeville, Neil Oolie of Ithaca,  and Alice Wu of Ithaca.

Buffalo, NY -- Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York is issuing an alert to Upstate New York businesses about an email campaign making the rounds. Business owners in the Buffalo and Rochester area reported receiving emails stating they are the winner of a "2016 Best of [TYPE OF BUSINESS]" award in their city. Supposed winners are then encouraged to pay $149 or more to claim their award and receive a personalized plaque.

This is a vanity award scheme where businesses are not winning based on merit, but for the sole intent of purchasing the plaque or certificate for an inflated price. The website claims this award program is run annually to recognize the best in the industry for, "exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category."