New York State Office of the State Inspector General Investigation Case Files 19134

New York State Office of the State Inspector General Investigation Case Files

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series consists of investigation files created by the Office of State Inspector General in response to complaints received such as employee theft, waste or misuse of State resources, extortion, larceny, official misconduct, conflict of interest, bid rigging, bribery, program mismanagement, and time and attendance abuses. Case Files include complaints, complaint summary sheets, and various investigatory records such as depositions, hearing transcripts, subpoenas, clippings, investigators' notes, progress reports, correspondence, and related items.

Creator:

New York (State). Office of the State Inspector General

Title:

Investigation case files

Quantity:

38 cubic feet

Inclusive Dates:

1986-1995

Series Number:

19134

Arrangement

Chronological, then by case number.

Scope and Content Note

This series consists of investigation files created by the Office of State Inspector General (OSIG) in response to complaints received via letters, telephone calls, walk-in complaints, anonymous Hotline tips, or through information developed by OSIG investigators, concerned citizens, State employees, police agencies, the Attorney General's Office, the State Comptroller's Office, the Governor's Office, and other sources. OSIG's three offices located in Albany, Buffalo, and New York City receive approximately 700 complaints per year alleging improper State agency conduct or practices or the misconduct of one or more individuals in an agency.

These complaints typically involve matters of a serious nature, such as employee theft, the waste or misuse of State resources, extortion, larceny, official misconduct, conflict of interest, bid rigging, bribery and related offenses, program mismanagement, time and attendance abuses, and other areas involving corruption or abuse. Approximately 110 complaints (16% of annual complaints) are considered to be of such importance that OSIG itself conducts an investigation. If the investigation uncovers criminal activity, OSIG findings are referred to an appropriate prosecutor, such as the State Attorney General, U.S. Attorney or District Attorney, for possible criminal charges. If an investigation finds that administrative action is needed by an agency, OSIG recommends such action to the agency.

Recommended actions range from a change in agency practice to the counseling, reprimand, suspension, demotion, transfer, or termination of an employee. All complaints and resulting investigation records are transferred from the Buffalo and New York City offices to the Albany office once needed investigations have been completed. Files for cases which have been investigated by OSIG include complaints, complaint summary sheets, and various investigatory records such as documents or copies of documents received from agencies, depositions, hearing transcripts, copies of subpoenas, newspaper clippings, investigators' notes, interim case progress reports, correspondence, and related items. At the conclusion of an investigation, the investigator prepares a final report indicating OSIG's findings and recommendations and a summary report which is intended for public access.