ALBANY – New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D, Yonkers) has opted to rescind YIT Foundation’s Director Sharon Toney-Finch’s nomination for a State Senate’s Women of Distinction award. Citing her nomination for an award that honors “women who have made significant contributions to our state and nation,” Stewart-Cousins pulled the nomination, adding that “it is imperative that we maintain the integrity of this prestigious award.”
Senator Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie) had nominated Toney-Finch prior to the scandal associated with her foundation’s false claims of homeless veterans evicted to make room for migrants at a Town of Newburgh hotel. When Finch announced that homeless veterans were evicted, Mid-Hudson News investigated the matter and debunked the claim within a few days. “The Mid Hudson News has unequivocally refuted the veracity of these claims,” Stewart-Cousins said in a letter to Rolison informing him of the decision.
Earlier on Tuesday, Rolison addressed the scandal surrounding the YIT Foundation and its director, saying, “Our office, like other elected officials, responded to media reports describing homeless veterans evicted from a local hotel with a mixture of alarm and compassion. We wanted to help.”
Speaking of Director Finch, the senator said, “I hope this individual finds peace through contrition and makes amends to the brave veterans she has dishonored,” while also pledging his support of a full investigation of the non-profit foundation.
Several elected officials are seeking an investigation of the YIT Foundation by New York State Attorney General Letitia James. Her office told Mid-Hudson News on Monday that they are aware of the allegations and are reviewing them.
