The recent closure of the Samadhi Refuge housing facility—abrupt, uncoordinated, and deeply disruptive to the vulnerable individuals who had come to rely on its services and to the employees that serve them—represents a troubling culmination of issues this Office has raised for well over a year. The Ulster County Comptroller’s Office has consistently flagged financial irregularities, governance gaps, and reporting inconsistencies associated with Samadhi Center, Inc., and the manner in which this facility was shuttered unfortunately reinforces the seriousness of those concerns.
Yet rather than engaging in meaningful dialogue, the Samadhi Board responded with a public letter February 6th sent to the Legislature, but not this Office, accusing this Office of inaccuracies and obstruction, while declining to acknowledge the financial, operational, and ethical lapses that have now made headlines. I write today not only to correct that narrative, but to ask directly: how did the Board allow the organization to arrive at this point? When funding was flowing, when questions were being asked, and when reforms could still have been made—why was the necessary action not taken?
Since the start of 2023, Samadhi has received over $1.46 million from Ulster County to operate emergency housing, including over $360,000 in the first quarter of 2025 alone. In mid-March—just weeks before closing the doors—Samadhi were paid more than $36,000. The explanation offered by the Board president, that these funds were insufficient to maintain operations, doesn’t align with the data. Even by the organization’s own estimates of monthly rent and utilities, more than half of these public funds remained available for staffing, supplies, and other operational costs.
It is not just the Comptroller’s Office that has raised concerns. The IRS has filed a lien against Samadhi for unpaid payroll taxes in excess of $26,000. Rent has gone unpaid for the County-owned space at 368 Broadway in Kingston. Multiple red flags—from bank statement reviews to unsubstantiated withdrawals—have been documented. Despite this, the Board has not provided a full and clear accounting of where the funds went.
We also remain concerned about Board governance. The organization’s small Board structure, lack of documented internal controls, and the blending of oversight and operational roles have all been cited by auditors and this Office. Yet these issues remain unresolved. The claim that reforms are underway is not substantiated by timely audit results, clear documentation, or formal Board resolutions. As fiduciaries, Board responsibilities are to ensure both mission integrity and financial soundness. That responsibility cannot be deferred.
It is also important to note that Legislator Kathy Nolan, while serving as the Samadhi Board president, continues to speak publicly on Samadhi’s behalf. This dual role—particularly in light of a formal reprimand from the Ulster County Board of Ethics for her undisclosed financial relationship with the organization—raises legitimate concerns about transparency, accountability, and the perception of undue influence. To date, no documentation has been provided regarding the $14,000 in charges Ms. Nolan reportedly placed on her personal credit card on behalf of Samadhi. Whether that loan was ever repaid remains unclear.
Even more concerning is that despite these unresolved issues, Legislator Nolan continues to hold positions of influence within County government as the Chair of the Public Works Committee. I urge the Board of Directors—and Legislative leadership—to reflect seriously on whether these overlapping roles are in the best interest of the County, the public, or the organization.
If the organization cannot provide the documentation and oversight that this Office—and the public—have long requested, then County leadership should consider ending the relationship including terminating the lease at 368 Broadway.
The people of Ulster County deserve clarity and accountability from organizations entrusted with public funds—and from those who govern them. This Office is committed to continuing its work to protect taxpayer dollars, ensure compliance, and elevate standards in the delivery of essential services. I again urge the Samadhi Board to provide a full and independent audit, to disclose documentation related to internal lending and expenses, and to reflect on the governance changes necessary to restore public trust.
We must all be stewards of the public’s confidence—not just through our values, but through our actions.
