1. New York City Department of Investigation
William Jorgenson
Associate Commissioner

2. William “Boss” Tweed

3. DOI is one of the oldest law-enforcement agencies in the country, formed in the 1870s following a scandal in which the corrupt William “Boss” Tweed and his unscrupulous cronies skimmed millions from the City coffers.

5. DOI’s Mission:
Investigate Fraud Waste and Corruption throughout NYC

6. Jurisdiction: Anyone who receives city money
City agencies/employees
City contractors
NFPs who receive City funds
People who receive city benefits

7. Structure of the agency: Squad based system
Each squad is supervised by an inspector General who oversees a staff ranging in size from 20 to over 70 investigators auditors analysts and attorneys
Each squad oversees one or more city agencies or entities

8. LARGE-SCALE PROBE INTO VIOLENCE AND CONTRABAND SMUGGLING ON RIKERS ISLAND

9. LARGE-SCALE PROBE INTO VIOLENCE AND CONTRABAND SMUGGLING ON RIKERS ISLAND

10. LARGE-SCALE PROBE INTO VIOLENCE AND CONTRABAND SMUGGLING ON RIKERS ISLAND

11. Resources and Powers
Access to all city records without a subpoena or court order
(Some exceptions such as HIPAA apply-even to us!)
MEO 16: requires that all agencies and employees cooperate with our investigations
City Charter: We can grant certain individuals immunity from prosecution in exchange for compelled statements

12. Duties and Functions: Many tools for going after public corruption
Criminal Prosecution
Administrative sanctions
Policy and Procedure recommendations
Public reports
Background Integrity Function
Fingerprints
Complaints
Background Investigation of high level city employees
Vendor Integrity
Civil remedies
Termination of contracts
Barring from doing business with the city
Asset forfeiture

13. Building Floor Plans

14. Development Map

15. Apartment Layout

16. SAFETY CONCERNS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES FOUND DURING WIDESPREAD BRIBERY SCHEME INVESTIGATION

17. INVESTIGATION INTO 25 HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES FINDS SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES

18. INVESTIGATION INTO 25 HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES FINDS SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES

19. THE GOOD NEWS As a result of DOI’s Investigation and Report:
The City Department of Homeless Services committed to putting all shelters under contract, giving the City the ability to hold landlords accountable for health/safety violations.
The City formed the Shelter Repair Squad with relevant inspection agencies to identify health and safety violations at shelters.

20. Lessons learned over the years

21. Corruption Cases come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from simple to extraordinarily complex
A few examples:
Contraband distribution networks in jails
Contractor Fraud
Prevailing wage fraud
Inspector corruption
Employee misconduct
Employee theft
Embezzlement schemes by city employees
Benefits fraud

22. Other Issues
Cases are highly sensitive demanding the utmost discretion
Other agencies, other agendas
Dealing with the media
Dealing with the public

23. The challenge of explanation
The importance of keeping it Simple
The One Sentence rule
Knowing the elements of the crime before you charge
Understand the process so you can understand where/how/why things went wrong
How to deal with Jargon
Using an agency employee to explain policy and procedure

24. Trying these cases
The purpose of jury selection in a Public Corruption Trial
Using the courtroom
Regarding exhibits: Size matters
Confused jurors are acquitting jurors!
Educating your judge

25. New York City Department of Investigation
Associate Commissioner William Jorgenson (212)