The state Inspector General’s office has released yet another report criticizing operation and oversight of the New York State Fair – the result of an investigation that started back in 2009. This is the second IG report on problems at the fair in just over two years.

Acting IG Catherine Leahy Scott said her office determined the fair had a flawed procurement system, resulting in two defective procurements that violated the Department of Agriculture and Markets’ own procurement policies.

Fair officials, including former First Deputy Commissioner Robert Haggerty and former Fair Director Daniel O’Hara, conducted an improper RFP process and ultimately gave the sole bidder more favorable terms than initially offered.

In a separate procurement process, they allowed an electronic ticketing vendor to bid on an RFP when that vendor had assisted Haggerty in preparing the RFP – a “likely violation” of state law.

The IG also identified areas of significant security lapses at the fair, discovering that two employees were maintaining living and storage spaces on the grounds.

In one case, an employee was found to reside in the racing stable office, keeping exotic pet birds on-site and storing enough belongings to fill six horse stalls and a pickup truck. In another case, an employee established quarters which featured a kitchenette that had a refrigerator containing alcoholic beverages, a couch, an inflatable bed, and a television.

This conduct had been occurring for several years, with at least one supervisor aware since 2010. According to the IG, “significant management failures” enabled these security lapses to exist and persist.

As a result of the IG’s findings, Haggerty and O’Hara are no longer working for Ag and Markets. The same goes for General Counsel Ruth Moore, who was replaced, and Supervising Attorney Michael McCormick, who retired.

Haggerty was fired last June. O’Hara, who had held his position since Februrary 2007 (which would make him a Spitzer appointee). Earlier this month, O’Hara landed a new job with the Cuomo administration.

He was appointed as deputy director for preparedness with the state Office of Emergency Management. He’s earning $110,000, and started the new job in Albany on Feb. 1.

O’Hara’s predecessor at the state fair, Peter Cappuccilli, was convicted of a misdemeanor crime as a result of a 2010 IG report.

IG report No. 2. on NYS Fair by liz_benjamin6490

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