ยง 4. Investigation of expenditures of towns and villages. If
twenty-five freeholders in any town or village shall present to a
justice of the supreme court of the judicial district in which such town
or village is situated, an affidavit, stating that they are freeholders
and have paid taxes on real property within such town or village within
one year, that they have reason to believe that the moneys of such town
or village are being unlawfully or corruptly expended, and the grounds
of their belief, such justice, upon ten days' notice to the supervisor,
and the officers of the town disbursing the funds to which such moneys
belong, or the trustees and treasurer of the village, shall make a
summary investigation into the financial affairs of such town or
village, and the accounts of such officers, and, in his discretion, may
appoint experts to make such investigation, and may cause the result
thereof to be published in such manner as he may deem proper.
The costs incurred in such investigation shall be taxed by the
justice, and paid, upon his order, by the officers whose expenditures
are investigated, if the facts in such affidavit be substantially
proved, and otherwise, by the freeholders making such affidavit. If such
justice shall be satisfied that any of the moneys of such town or
village are being unlawfully or corruptly expended, or are being
appropriated for purposes to which they are not properly applicable, or
are improvidently squandered or wasted, he shall forthwith grant an
order restraining such unlawful or corrupt expenditure, or such other
improper use of such moneys.
Structure New York Laws
Article 2 - General Municipal Finances
3-A - Rate of Interest on Judgments and Accrued Claims Against Municipal Corporations.
3-B - Limitation on Real Estate Tax in New York City.
3-C - Limit Upon Real Property Tax Levies by Local Governments.
4 - Investigation of Expenditures of Towns and Villages.
5-A - Electronic or Wire Transfers.
6-E - Contingency and Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund for Municipal Corporations.
6-F - Snow and Ice Removal and Road Repair Reserve Funds for Municipal Corporations.
6-G - Capital Reserve Funds for Fire Districts.
6-I - Airport Development and Amortization Funds.
6-J - Workmen's Compensation Reserve Fund.
6-K - Electric Utility Depreciation Reserve Funds.
6-L - Mandatory Reserve Fund for Municipal Corporations, Fire Districts and School Districts.
6-M - Unemployment Insurance Payment Reserve Fund.
6-O - Solid Waste Management Facility Reserve Funds.
6-P - Employee Benefit Accrued Liability Reserve Fund.
6-Q - Intermunicipal Agreement for a Joint Capital Reserve Fund in the County of Tompkins.
6-R - Retirement Contribution Reserve Funds
6-S - Community Preservation Funds.
6-T - Charitable Gifts Reserve Fund.
6-U - Charitable Gifts Reserve Fund.
6-V - Asset Forfeiture Escrow Fund.
7 - Payment of Municipal Bonds.
8 - Application of Revenues of a Public Improvement or Part Thereof, or Service.
9 - Use of Tax Moneys Raised Outside Constitutional Tax Limit.
10 - Deposits of Public Money; Security.
12 - Deposits of Public Authorities, Public Benefit Corporations and Other Corporations.
20 - Special Population Census: Population Data.
21 - Cancellation of Unpaid Checks or Drafts.
22 - Claims Against Fire Insurance Proceeds; Procedure.
23 - Flexible Benefits Program.