NYC Comptroller Raised Transparency Concerns Over $850 Million ThriveNYC Program

New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer previously voiced significant concerns regarding the transparency and financial oversight of ThriveNYC, a mental health initiative spearheaded by then-First Lady Chirlane McCray. These concerns emerged amid public scrutiny over the program's substantial budget, which critics alleged lacked clear accountability for its spending and effectiveness.

The program, launched in 2015, aimed to address mental health issues across New York City. However, a 2019 report by Politico highlighted difficulties in tracking expenditures, noting that many initiatives were spread across various city agencies, making it challenging to identify specific allocations under the ThriveNYC umbrella. The New York Post, in a February 2019 article, broadly criticized the de Blasio administration, claiming that "de Blasio and ‘co-mayor’ wife have wasted $1.8B of taxpayer money," specifically referencing an "eye-popping $900 million" for ThriveNYC.

Comptroller Stringer formally requested a "trove of information" from the de Blasio administration, seeking an overview of ThriveNYC's 54 initiatives, baseline statistics, and the metrics used to measure success. Stringer emphasized the importance of ensuring "taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and efficiently" and that "without the public’s trust that these dollars are being spent effectively, the program cannot achieve its goals." An audit was subsequently conducted to investigate potential mismanagement, which, according to a Daedalus article, "found none."

Despite the audit's findings, the controversies led to budget cuts for some key ThriveNYC initiatives in fiscal year 2020, including the Mental Health Innovation Lab and the Mental Health Services Corps. While the program aimed to shift mental healthcare towards a community-based, public health approach, its implementation faced political and public skepticism regarding its impact and financial clarity. The original tweet, in its inflammatory language, alleged that "Warren Wilhelm Jr's (no offense) Bulldyke Wife stole like $800M," and mentioned a "Soros NGO consigliere" causing "havoc." Public records and investigative reports from reputable sources, including the Comptroller's audit, have not substantiated claims of direct theft or involvement of a "Soros NGO" in financial misconduct related to ThriveNYC.