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DiNapoli: Americorps Owes Thousands

NEW YORK, N.Y. (AP) -- A state's comptroller's audit says mismanagement and wasteful spending at an AmeriCorps chapter has cost taxpayers in a western New York town at least $400,000.

The report by comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is sharply critical of an unusual relationship between Western New York AmeriCorps and the town of West Seneca.

The Buffalo News reports the audit found the town's Youth Bureau and the AmeriCorps chapter functioned essentially as the same entity.
It said the chapter hasn't repaid loans from the town and that town officials affiliated with the AmeriCorps operation used government credit cards for personal expenses.

AmeriCorps is a federal service organization that runs public improvement programs around the country.

Western New York AmeriCorps denies any improprieties. The head of the town's Youth Bureau, also disputes the audit.

(Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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