The Orange County Industrial Development Agency faces mounting criticism after hiring a $100,000 lobbyist while allegedly violating state law by excluding its state-appointed monitor from a board meeting, according to a formal complaint and statements from local legislators.

State monitor Brian Sanvidge notified New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang on Sept. 30 of possible statutory violations by the IDA, which grants selective property tax breaks to corporations. The complaint centers on a Sept. 25 board meeting where directors entered executive session and barred Sanvidge from attending, then voted to retain Albany-based Brown and Weinraub Advisors as the agency's lobbying firm.

In his letter to Lang, Sanvidge alleged the IDA violated General Municipal Law by failing to provide him with meeting materials about the lobbying contract at least 72 hours in advance and by not supplying requested documentation within 48 hours of his Sept. 26 request.

"The board shall provide the monitor with copies of any meeting agendas and all resolutions," the law states. Sanvidge said the Sept. 19 board packet he received contained no items relating to the lobbying firm discussion or vote.

Orange County's Democratic legislative delegation announced Oct. 9 they will fight to renew the monitor's oversight when it expires next year.

"The IDA is spending $100,000 in public funds to do away with oversight because they want to operate like the Wild West," said state Sen. James Skoufis. (“D-Cornwall) They want zero accountability to taxpayers and want to line the pockets of every corporation that walks through their doors."

Assemblymembers Jonathan Jacobson, Chris Eachus and Paula Elaine Kay joined Skoufis in denouncing the agency's actions.

"This is a slap in the faces of all hardworking residents throughout Orange County," Eachus said, citing previous corruption charges against former IDA officials as evidence that continued oversight is necessary.

Assemblyman Brian Maher, a Republican from Walden, defended the IDA and called the Democratic legislators' statements "inaccurate, politically motivated and damaging."

"The Orange County IDA, under the leadership of Bill Fioravanti and Jeff Crist, has operated with integrity and professionalism," Maher said. "To portray these individuals as reckless or corrupt is simply false."

Maher said the IDA's lobbying effort represents legitimate advocacy for local control of economic development, not corruption. He cited recent community investments including $250,000 for a Hudson Valley Food Bank generator project, $512,000 for a Middletown water infrastructure study and $20,000 for Vision Hudson Valley's Quality of Life Report.

"What's really happening here is political theater," Maher said. "The IDA's advocacy for local decision-making is not corruption, it's common sense."

Sanvidge requested an extension for his third quarterly report to the state Office of the Inspector General, originally due Oct. 15, to incorporate the alleged violations into his findings.