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.
May 19, 2025: DOI's Investigation of Excessive Workers' Compensation Claims by the City Department of Correction Employees
January 8, 2025: Investigation Concerning New York City Police Department Security Details for City Elected Officials
October 17, 2024: DOI's Examination of Compliance Risks at City-Funded Homeless Shelter Providers and the City's Oversight of Shelter Providers
July 18, 2024: DOI and NYC Comptroller Report Concerning Contracting of For-Hire Vehicle Services by the NYC Board of Elections
July 2, 2024: NYC Board of Elections' Misuse of Annual Sick Leave Related to Its Former General Counsel
November 10, 2021: DOI Report on Corruption Vulnerabilities in the City's Oversight and Administration of Not-for-Profit Human Services Contracts
October 7, 2021: DOI’s Investigation into Mayor de Blasio’s Security Detail
May 13, 2021: DOI's Investigation Relating to Absentee Ballot Packages Sent to Brooklyn Voters in September 2020 by Phoenix Graphics, Inc.
October 31, 2018: Report on Fraud by a Former Employee of the Kings County Public Administrator's Office
August 3, 2017: Theft of Funds by Former Procurement Director of the Richmond County District Attorney's Office
February 3, 2016: Fraud and Vulnerabilities at the New York City Department for the Aging
February 6, 2015: Report on the Emergency Communication Transformation Program
August 6, 2014: Review of Delays and Cost Overruns with the Emergency Communications Transformation Program (ECTP)
December 30, 2013: Report on the New York City Board of Elections' Employment Practices, Operations, and Election Administration
September 1, 2011: DOI Finds Former Sales Representative of Software Company Forged City Official's Signature on Proposed License Agreement
June 11, 2007: The New York City Department of Investigation's Findings Regarding Richard Gottfried and the New York City Assigned Counsel Panel
October 5, 2006: The New York City Department of Investigation's Findings Regarding Fraud and Financial Mismanagement at The Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club
October 5, 2006: View the Exhibits