ALBANY - State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office is recalculating the pension of a former director at the state Department of Correctional Services (DOCS) after an investigation by DiNapoli's office found that he took Fridays off for 17 years at taxpayer expense.

Howard Dean, 66, of Locke, pleaded guilty last year to second degree grand larceny and is awaiting sentencing by Oneida County Judge Barry Donalty. On Tuesday, Judge Donalty postponed Dean's sentencing to May 10. The case is being prosecuted by Oneida County District Attorney Scott D. McNamara.

Meanwhile, the Comptroller's office has cut Dean's annual state retirement benefit by nearly $4,000 and is seeking recovery of $13,500 in pension payments made since his 2008 retirement, based on his admission that he was paid for 17 years of Fridays which he did not work.

"This recalculation and the prosecution sends a key message to any abuser entrusted with public funds: we will find you, we will hold you accountable and we will make you pay," DiNapoli said. "My office will not tolerate abuses of the state pension system. When a person commits fraud which boosts their pension benefits, we will aggressively seek to cut their payments to account for their theft to the full extent of the law."

DiNapoli is pushing proposed legislation to elevate official misconduct to a felony and force public officials to pay penalties of up to twice the amount gained by their crimes.