Ex-ACS Aide Fined $2G for Using Job To Help Business

RICHARD J. CONDON: Vaporized scam.

A former Community Coordinator in the Administration for Children's Services has been fined $2,000 by the Conflicts of Interest Board, after resigning his position earlier this year, for using his city account for matters relating to his private mental health counseling practice.

Dmitry Belenky, who worked at ACS for almost 13 years, admitted that he used his ACS e-mail to send and receive e-mails and his city computer to store files linked to non-city business.

Wanted to Go on DOE List

He also submitted documentation to the Department of Education asking to be included in its list of independent providers, so that he could be selected to provide a city student with certain services, for which he would receive extra compensation from the DOE. He applied to this list because he knew that the student's parent would select him for these services.

Mr. Belenky resigned from ACS in May while disciplinary charges were pending against him, but the COIB's case was resolved last week.

"[Public servants] are prohibited from using city time or city resources —which would include the city computer and e-mail account—for any non-city purpose, in particular any business or political activities," COIB wrote in its decision. "They are [also] prohibited from appearing for compensation or on behalf of a private interest before any city agency." D.S.