Unbelievable: Justice Department Announces 70 Arrests of New York City Employees in Bribery Scandal
By Jeff Charles | 5:10 PM on February 26, 2024
Earlier this month, the Justice Department announced a record-breaking series of arrests in connection with a bribery and extortion ring allegedly conducted by current and former employees of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). The arrests mark the largest number of bribery charges imposed on a single day and affected 70 individuals accused of illicit activity.
The defendants are accused of lining their pockets with cash payments from contractors eager to do business in New York City. The operation was the result of a collaboration between local and federal authorities to uncover the scheme.
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Instead of acting in the interests of NYCHA residents, the City of New York, or taxpayers, the 70 defendants charged today allegedly used their jobs at NYCHA to line their own pockets. This action is the largest single-day bribery takedown in the history of the Justice Department. NYCHA residents deserve better. My Office is firmly committed to cleaning up the corruption that has plagued NYCHA for far too long so that its residents can be served with integrity and have the high-quality affordable homes that they deserve. The culture of corruption at NYCHA ends today."Attorney General Merrick Garland echoed Williams’ sentiments, asserting that the alleged crimes “are serious violations of the public trust.”
The scandal centers on allegations that NYCHA employees abused their positions to secure no-bid contracts for specific contractors in exchange for millions of dollars in bribes. The kickbacks ranged between 10 percent and 20 percent of each contract’s value. The alleged pay-to-play scheme defrauded the government and taxpayers. It also had a negative impact on the quality of living of more than 200,000 residents, according to HUD Inspector General Rae Oliver Davis.
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https://redstate.com/jeffc/2024/02/26/unbelievable-justice-department-announces-70-arrests-of-new-york-city-employees-in-bribery-scandal-n2170604
