Brooklyn District Attorney Eric GonzalezĭOI Commissioner Margaret Garnett commended the superintendents who turned down the bribes and reported them to DOI, saying that it is city law to report corruption. We believe that this corruption, unfortunately, goes beyond the nine people charged today, so we want to have this press conference to send a very clear message to anyone who would think about engaging in corruption and fraud that DOI is watching. This office stands ready to be partners with them to prosecute and to hold those accountable who will take a bribe," Gonzalez said. They will investigate any allegations of corruption. "We believe that this corruption, unfortunately, goes beyond the nine people charged today, so we want to have this press conference to send a very clear message to anyone who would think about engaging in corruption and fraud that DOI is watching. An investigation is ongoing into the depth of the alleged problem. No public housing official has been charged at this point, the sources said. Gonzalez presented some of these videos during his press conference.
In total, about $20,000, gift cards and other gifts were offered as bribes. More than 35 of the "brazen" bribes were offered, many of them captured on video, according to the district attorney. Some contractors were allegedly trying to pay a 10% kickback to NYCHA officials on any contract they were awarded, the district attorney said. In 2019, DOI learned of a number of other alleged contractors who were offering bribes and so undercover investigators were sent to two housing developments in Brooklyn: Red Hook Houses West and the Lafayette Houses in Clinton Hill.ĭuring a period of months, during the height of the COVID pandemic in New York City, these investigators posing as superintendents received many offers of bribes, Gonzalez said.
The case began after a NYCHA official reported a bribery attempt, which led to an undercover investigation that allegedly showed a more widespread problem, Gonzalez said. This is done to make repairs quickly, especially for NYCHA residents.
They receive an estimate, they approve the estimate for the repairs and, ultimately, they sign off the payment to the contractor as long as the work is completed to satisfaction. However, repairs that are less than $10,000 can be awarded by superintendents to contractors. Once they receive multiple bids a vendor is selected to do the work. Son Charged With Fatally Stabbing Father, Sister At NY HomeĪccording to Gonzalez, on large contracts, vendors and contractors who work with NYCHA have to go through a bidding process.
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