Make New York Post a Preferred Source The New York state is sitting on a $21 billion pile of cash belonging to everyday Empire State denizens, but also some of its more recognizable celebs.
Money from unused gift cards, uncollected wages, tax refunds and investment sometimes fail to get into the hands of its rightful owners, leaving the state comptroller’s office to hold onto them in an “unclaimed funds” account until the payees come calling.
Wall Street exec and Republican comptroller candidate Joseph Hernandez, who is running against incumbent Democrat Tom DiNapoli, released a plan Thursday to try and more effectively return the $21 billion to its rightful owners.
Rihanna is seen on Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in New York City. GC Images While they include thousands of everyday New Yorkers, they also include a number of high-powered politicians like Mayor Zohran Mamdani and A-list celebs like Rihanna and Robert De Niro.
Some of the A-listers who have some change in state coffers include:
Unclaimed funds are also available for the state Democratic and Republican parties, the Democratic Socialists of America as well as the campaigns of former Govs. Eliot Spitzer, George Pataki, David Paterson and Andrew Cuomo.
