By Madina Toure
The Queens Library’s board of trustees said Thursday it will undertake a full review of the questionable expenditures made by Interim President Bridget Quinn-Carey uncovered in an audit by city Comptroller Scott Stringer before deciding her future.
The audit, which was requested by the board, found that former Queens Library CEO Thomas Galante spent nearly $260,000 in prohibited expenses while Quinn-Carey spent around $48,000.
Carl Koerner, chairman of the board, said some of the charges by Quinn-Carey would require further review after consideration of appropriate tax regulations.
“The board will wait for the full review before taking further action, which could include requesting reimbursement for such charges or reporting them as additional income for the employee involved,” Koerner said following the end of the executive session late Thursday night at the Central Library, at 89-11 Merrick Blvd. in Jamaica.
“Since the date of these charges, this board has imposed even greater standards for incurring and documenting purchases,” Koerner continued. “The board reminds our entire staff that strict adherence to library policies regarding expenditures is a cornerstone of a well-run organization worthy of the public trust.”
Joanne King, director of communications for the Queens Library, said the library’s plan had always been to conduct a search for candidates after Galante was fired, noting that the search was unrelated to the recent findings of Stringer’s audit.
King said Quinn-Carey is a “viable candidate” and that she thinks she is interested in keeping the position but the search will continue. “It’s in the best interest of the library to see who’s out there and if she’s the best candidate or if she isn’t,” King said.
Judy Bergtraum, chairwoman of the buildings and grounds committee, said a search committee has been formed.
“We have a list of search firms,” Bergtraum said. “They are very well-known in the search area.”
Reach reporter Madina Toure by e-mail at mtour
