New York City Department of Investigation William Jorgenson Associate Commissioner

William “Boss” Tweed

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Building Floor Plans

Development Map

Apartment Layout

SAFETY CONCERNS AT CONSTRUCTION SITES FOUND DURING WIDESPREAD BRIBERY SCHEME INVESTIGATION

INVESTIGATION INTO 25 HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES FINDS SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES

INVESTIGATION INTO 25 HOMELESS SHELTERS FOR FAMILIES FINDS SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES

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.

Lessons learned over the years

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

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

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

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

New York City Department of Investigation Associate Commissioner William Jorgenson (212) 825-5619 Wjorgenson@doi.nyc.gov