Manhattan D.A. Expands Anti-Public Corruption Unit

Last Friday, Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. announced that he is combining his office’s Official Corruption and Public Integrity Units into a single Public Corruption Unit, to be led by ADA Luke Rettler. Mr. Rettler had been the head of the Official Corruption Unit.

The Official Corruption Unit was primarily responsible for investigating and prosecuting New York City police officers and other uniformed public servants involved in criminal conduct.

The Public Integrity Unit, which was formed in October 2010, had responsibility for investigating and prosecuting crimes committed by public employees, elected officials, candidates for public office, and others who hold the public trust. The unit also investigated election fraud and criminal violations of state and local ethics laws.

In addition to these duties, the new unit will also advocate for the legislative reforms that were proposed in September 2013 by the state District Attorney’s Association White-Collar Crime Task Force. These reforms include laws corruption, fraud (including elder fraud and tax fraud), cybercrime and identity theft, and money laundering.

D.A. Vance said:

“This expanded unit will proactively investigate public corruption at all levels, including not only crimes committed by police officers and other uniformed officials, but also by elected officials and public servants. We will also seek to root out election fraud and prosecute individuals who criminally violate state and local ethics laws.”