Nine contractors indicted for allegedly bribing superintendents at NYCHA developments
Undercover probe started after NYCHA employees reported allegedly being offered bribes, unlawful gratuities
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnett announced on Monday that nine contractors had been charged in multiple indictments with bribery, giving unlawful gratuities, offering a false instrument for filing and conspiracy for allegedly offering NYCHA employees bribes in exchange for “micro purchase” contracts.
“These defendants allegedly tried to seek favors from NYCHA superintendents by offering them bribes, corrupting a process meant to ensure contracts are fairly awarded,” Gonzalez said. “I commend the employees who came forward to report the bribe offers, kicking off this investigation. My Office will continue to work closely with DOI to make sure that bribery schemes and other forms of corruption are investigated and prosecuted.”
“Bribery is one of the oldest and most blatant forms of public corruption,” Garnett said. “But, as this investigation shows, corruption cannot take root when honest employees step forward and report it. DOI commends the NYCHA employees who embraced the affirmative obligation that all employees of the City of New York have to report wrongdoing to DOI.