Squad 5

Squad 5 investigates corruption and wrongdoing involving elected City officials, including the Mayor, City Council, the Comptroller, the Public Advocate, the District Attorneys, and the Borough Presidents. Squad 5 maintains oversight over City agencies involved in the City election process, such as the Campaign Finance Board and the Board of Elections and investigates the diversion and misuse of government funds at City-funded nonprofits. Other agencies under Squad 5 oversight include: the Law Department; the Office of Technology and Innovation; the Department for the Aging; and the Department of Youth & Community Development.

The Squad’s investigations have led to significant results, including a 2021 report exposing misuse of a former Mayor’s security detail, which led to a substantial fine against the former Mayor and a 2025 settlement that stipulated the former Mayor pay the City nearly $330,000. This Squad has also issued seminal reports on corruption vulnerabilities involving City-funded nonprofits in 2021 and 2024. Both reports have included important recommendations to remedy the problems identified by DOI. Its investigations have also led to healthcare fraud charges against City correction officers and a related report and recommendations on excessive workers’ compensation claims; fraud, bribery and money laundering charges against the founder and CEO of a City-funded nonprofit and two others; the guilty plea of a Law Department employee who used his City position to steal checks payable to the City; and the guilty plea of a former BOE employee to federal extortion and mail fraud charges.

Squad 5

Squad 5 Reports