70 New York City Housing Department employees arrested on corruption charges

Dozens of New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) workers and contractors were arrested. According to NBC New York, it became one of the largest anti-corruption campaigns in the history of the Justice Department.

On Tuesday, February 6, approximately 70 people were charged in connection with various alleged corruption and kickback schemes at NYCHA properties. Arrests by city Department of Investigation detectives, Homeland Security Investigations agents and the Housing and Urban Development Inspector General are ongoing.

The kickback schemes included construction, maintenance and no-bid contracts in public housing projects, officials said. More than 300 people live in NYCHA housing, the largest public housing authority in the country. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams is expected to detail the charges at a news conference.

NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt said the agency does not tolerate illegal or unlawful activity. “The individuals allegedly involved in these actions put their greed first and violated the trust of our residents, their NYCHA colleagues, and all New Yorkers. These actions go against everything we stand for as public servants,” Bova-Hiatt said in a statement.

“Over the past five years, NYCHA has made many significant achievements by remaining vigilant and ensuring integrity in every area of ​​our work. We have already made fundamental changes to our business practices and will continue to do so. We will not allow evildoers to disrupt or undermine our achievements,” she said.