Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen held a news conference Thursday inviting County Comptroller Jack Schnirman to conduct an audit of the problem-plagued Hempstead Town Animal Shelter.

Gillen, who calls the shelter "a lightning rod for controversy,” says residents have flooded her inbox with grievances against the shelter.

She says the shelter is contending with multiple lawsuits. News 12 has reported that its finances have come under scrutiny in the past as well, with several Republican-connected employees earning six-figure salaries. 

Schnirman's office will now scrutinize the shelter's nearly $4 million budget.

“Our auditors are going to look at the hiring practices, and determine if too much money is being spent on people who are not qualified to do the job to which they are assigned,” says Schnirman.

Gillen is a newly elected Democrat supervisor in a town that historically favors Republicans. Her news conference has already drawn the ire of the Republican-controlled town board.

Town Council Majority Leader Erin King Sweeney, who served on Gillen's transition team despite her party affiliation, released a statement criticizing the supervisor's decision

"The care and welfare of hundreds of animals and the handling of millions of dollars is not something that should be politicized. If Supervisor Gillen truly wanted to ensure the best practices at the Town of Hempstead Animal Shelter, and study any concerns that have been raised there, she should have spoken to the councilmembers about it rather than calling a press conference," said Sweeney in the statement.  

Schnirman says his office will focus solely on the shelter's finances and hiring practices. But he says if information is uncovered related to the care of animals or any other concerns, it will be forwarded to the proper authorities.