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Two probes were launched yesterday into the controversial land deal that allowed a politically connected Indian cultural group to buy 4.5 acres of state land in Queens for a fraction of its value, The Post has learned.
State Inspector General Ellen Biben and Attorney General Eric Schneiderman have initiated separate investigations into the $1.8 million sale of land at the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center in Queens Village to the Indian Cultural and Community Center, according to sources briefed on the matter.
The Post first reported the questionable land deal last month.
Schneiderman’s agents are focusing on whether there was political corruption or violations of the rules governing nonprofit groups, and have issued subpoenas already.
IG detectives have also issued a series of subpoenas seeking records connected to the land deal from — among others — the Indian nonprofit.
And the IG has sent a formal request for records from the state Dormitory Authority, which approved the sale without the normal signoffs from the AG’s Office.
Investigators met yesterday with Sen. Tony Avella (D-Queens), a vocal critic of the Creedmoor sale.
“It certainly warrants an investigation. From the very beginning, it seemed to be, at the very least, unethical behavior,” Avella said.
The Indian group is a private foundation aligned with the St. Gregorios Malankara Orthodox Church, which ministers to Indian Christians.
In 2006, then-Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Queens) pushed for the sale of the land to the group through special legislation.
The Dormitory Authority and the cultural group settled on a price of $1.8 million and the deal went through in 2009. The actual market value for the parcels last year was $7.3 million, according to city property-tax documents.
Last year, Assemblywoman Barbara Clark (D-Queens) introduced legislation to sell the group even more land to give the landlocked parcels access from Union Turnpike.
Members of the Indian group funneled thousands of dollars in election-campaign cash to Padavan and Clark.
They also donated to Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Queens), the Democrat running for Anthony Weiner’s congressional seat, and his brother, City Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Queens).
Spokesmen for both Biben and Schneiderman declined comment, as did representatives of the Indian group.