A potential lifeline from New York’s lead agency for domestic violence prevention was sometimes going unanswered.

This was from a period between December 2024 and June 2025, according to a new audit from New York state Comptroller Tom DiNapoli’s office on the state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence.

“One of the big areas of concern that we identified was with the domestic violence prevention hotline,” said DiNapoli. “We did some test calls, and we found 20% of those calls went unanswered.”

According to the audit, 25 test calls were made, along with 20 text messages, and 15% of those messages went unanswered. It sometimes took longer than 30 seconds to respond, which is against requirements.

There were also language translation issues.

Since the comptroller’s office raised these concerns, Dave Bach, president and CEO of Unity House, which is contracted to operate the state’s hotline, says the issues have been resolved.

“We were in the middle of upgrading those networks when this audit was being done,” said Bach. “So, the likelihood of that occurring again has been diminished greatly based on the upgraded network.”

The New York state Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence released a statement to Spectrum News 1. It’s executive director, Kelli Nicholas Owens, said in part:

“The New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence takes the findings of the Office of the State Comptroller’s audit seriously and appreciates the opportunity to strengthen our work. Throughout the audit process, OPDV has been developing and implementing corrective actions to address concerns. Our focus is simple: make sure survivors can access the services and support they need, when they need them.

The safety and well-being of victims and survivors is at the heart of all we do. We remain dedicated to advancing survivor-centered, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive policies and programs, and we will continue to work diligently to uphold the highest standards of public service.”

In other news from DiNapoli’s office, the state Supreme Court ruled to uphold the comptroller’s decision to reject taxpayers paying more than $700,000 in legal fees for Melissa DeRosa, a former top aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“This always comes up when you do have cases of state employees that end up in a legal situation,” said DiNapoli. “Under New York law, they are entitled to legal services in many, many cases. And, we have to review the bills that come in, but there are times that our review suggests in fact it wouldn’t be an appropriate reimbursement.”

DeRosa, the former secretary to the former governor, requested her fees be covered after she was dismissed from the litigation related to a woman identified as “Trooper 1,” an unnamed state police officer who sued Cuomo for alleged inappropriate touching and subjecting her to unwanted sexual remarks while she was on his protective detail.

“It’s good to see them be a little bit more strict about the use of these funds,” said Rachael Fauss, senior policy advisor for Reinvent Albany. “Melissa DeRosa is no longer a part of this case. The Comptroller said that means she shouldn’t get the legal fees and the judge upheld it. I think this is a good decision for taxpayers.”

In a statement to Spectrum News 1, DeRosa’s attorney, Catherine Fonti, said in part: “As a direct result of the Attorney General’s fatally flawed report, a public servant was sued baselessly and dragged through litigation for years — Ms. DeRosa was rightly dismissed from Trooper #1’s blatant attempt at a money grab, but the Court’s decision is not consistent with the law or past precedent — we look forward to this decision being overturned on appeal.”