New York City's comptroller says the health department did not inspect all of the city's restaurants in 2008 and the beginning of 2009.
Comptroller William Thompson, Jr. says his office conducted an audit of the health agency and found that inspectors examined only 22 percent of licensed restaurants during the 2008 fiscal year. The audit states that 446 Bronx restaurants were excluded from inspections.
The health department released a statement claiming its agents inspected 80 percent of restaurants during that time.
The owner of Melanie's Restaurant on Castle Hill Avenue says his business received six violations last June and inspectors checked back to ensure problems were fixed.
AP wire services contributed to this article.