Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office will withhold future per diem and travel expense payments to Brooklyn Assemblyman William Boyland until he can demonstrate the money was used for legitimate, official business or he repays the state more than $67,000.

DiNapoli’s office also released a letter today it sent to the Democratic lawmaker informing him of the decision after he failed to comply with requests to show that he had been on official duty when applying for the per diem and travel exepsnes.

The Times Union reported on the comptroller’s report of Boyland’s per diem use earlier this week and before the letter was sent to Boyland.

“Our examination of Assemblyman Boyland’s travel expenses reveals a troubling pattern of abuse, resulting in more than $60,000 in inappropriate and questionable travel charges,” State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli said. “My office will withhold future payments to him to recover these funds and continues to cooperate with District Attorney David Soares on this matter.”

In the letter to Boyland, DiNapoli’s office writes that the lawmaker’s attorney had declined to provide the information in September because of the concern it could incriminate him in a future criminal proceeding.

Boyland, as close watchers of state politics know, has a colorful history with the law and legislating.

He was aquitted in 2011 of soliciting and taking a variety of bribes, but was re-arrested months later and accused of taking $250,000 worth of bribes while the previous corruption case was going on.

City and State wrote in 2011 that Boyland also had a curious habit of playing CityVille on Facebook during legislative session days.

Boy Land by Nick Reisman

Share|