New York City is the nation’s largest city. As such, it is also home to one of the nation’s largest municipal pool of workers. Each day, thousands of people work for the state. They carry out many necessary functions. Police officers enforce laws. Teachers teach kids how to read. Firefighters head into fires and rescue people. The same is true of many officials at private companies. Many private contractors have contracts with the city. They hire workers to complete all sorts of important tasks including cleaning the subways and Scrubbing office buildings at night. Given this large workforce, it is not surprising that careful supervision is a must. Workers must be prepared to meet the obligations of their job. They must also be prepared to avoid any hint of possible corruption. Each person may face temptation on the job. There are many who would be happy to attempt to bribe municipal officers in an effort to get access to sensitive data and other information. Workers and their supervisors may also feel a sense of vulnerability when they handle confidential materials and money that follows through the system. Sometimes, they may even wind up succumbing to temptation and end up committing a crime.

Specific Department Investigations

The city of New York has a specific department dedicated to investigating possible criminal activity. The Department of Investigation is charged with making sure that all officials who work for the government are doing their jobs. They are also responsible for investigating any possible ethical complaints. In some cases, the lawyers here know about potential problems because such problems have been reported by others. There’s a hotline that people can call if they suspect there’s a problem. This hotline is constantly monitored. When calls come in, this triggers an investigation. The investigation may also be part of a larger investigation in a specific area. For example, there may be multiple reports of corruption in a given area. Officials may be aware that more than one person is involved in a given scheme. Or, the investigation may be confined to a single person and not go beyond that person. Each issue will be examined on its own merits. Investigators will talk not only to the people they are investigating but also to others who may have seen behavior that is questionable at best and possibly even illegal. All those who investigate others must do so in accordance with all laws.

If You are Being Investigated

Sometimes people learn they are being investigated. They may learn about this issue when they go to work and find people there who want to talk to them. They may also learn they are the subject of an investigation when they hear co-workers talking about them. Learning about an investigation can be startling and even terrifying. It’s a good idea to learn as much as possible about the issues in question. In some cases, the investigators will tell you exactly what’s going on. In other cases, they may be more opaque. This is because the investigation doesn’t just include you. It may also include others as well and they don’t want to tip their hand. Keep in mind that such investigations may be abrupt and then end. Or, they may take place over a longer period of time. People will not be told about the amount of time they can expect the investigation to take as the lawyers on the case may not know this themselves. It’s important not to panic. It’s also important to find out what legal options you may have to confront this issue and get it resolved as soon as possible.

Hiring Help

DEFENSE TEAM SPOTLIGHT

Todd Spodek

Lead Attorney & Founder

Featured on Netflix's "Inventing Anna," Todd Spodek brings decades of high-stakes criminal defense experience. His aggressive approach has secured dismissals and acquittals in cases others deemed unwinnable.

NY Bar Admitted NJ Bar Admitted Federal Courts

Meet the Full Team

Legal Scenario: What Would You Do?

Scenario

You are a city employee who just received a letter from the NYC Department of Investigation stating that you are the subject of an active investigation into alleged misconduct in your agency. Your supervisor has been reassigned, and colleagues are being called in for interviews about your conduct.

What should I do after receiving notice that the DOI is investigating me, and can anything I say be used against me in a criminal case?

Attorney's Answer

You should immediately retain an attorney experienced with DOI investigations before responding to any requests for interviews or documents. Under New York Civil Service Law Section 75, city employees have certain due process protections, but statements you make during a DOI interview can be referred to the Manhattan District Attorney or federal prosecutors if criminal conduct is suspected. Your attorney can advise you on whether to invoke your right to counsel during questioning and can help you understand the critical distinction between compelled Garrity statements, which cannot be used against you criminally, and voluntary statements, which absolutely can be. Early legal intervention is essential because DOI investigations frequently lead to termination proceedings, civil penalties, or criminal referrals.

This is general information only. Contact us for advice specific to your situation.

It’s important to hire help as soon as possible. Even a minor issue may lead to dismissal from a job. An investigation of any kind can be highly damaging to your personal reputation on the job. If co-workers find out you are being investigated, they may treat you differently. If have done nothing wrong, it’s vital that you clear your name and make things right again. If you have made a mistake, it’s even more important to get help. Skilled legal help can provide anyone with the counsel they need during a very scary time in life. A lawyer can illustrate what it likely to happen going forward. They can show their clients how such investigations work. They can also provide detailed information about the scope of the investigation and what the possible outcomes are as it progresses. Legal help can also inform you about your rights during every single stage of the process. Everyone has rights. Legal help can clarify exactly what rights are once the case begins and once it has concluded. Working with a lawyer means having an ally on your side during the department of investigation process.