Public Integrity Unit

"We will have only one system of Justice here in Albany County. We will prosecute based on the evidence, issues of who you are and who you know will no longer be factored into the decision-making process as to who we indict and eventually who we prosecute."

June 21, 2005, District Attorney Soares

In June of 2005, the Soares Administration announced and established a new unit, the Public Integrity Unit. The Public Integrity Unit reports directly to the District Attorney, it actively investigates cases and welcomes tips from any constituent with information on possible corruption.

It is the mission of the Public Integrity Unit to ensure that Public Officials, Law Enforcement, White Collar Criminals, and Cyber Criminals are held to the same standard of justice as any other.

Violations of Public Trust
Citizens bestow certain rights and responsibilities on their public officials and law enforcement community. The Public Integrity Unit investigates and prosecutes cases when a public official or law enforcement member illegally abuses the power and confidence granted by the citizenry. Examples of violations of the public trust include bid rigging on public projects, illegal use of influence, criminal violations of election law, violations of public procurement regulations and law, illegal lobbying, illegal police conduct in the line of duty, and bribery.

Cyber Crimes
With today’s increased dependency on computer technology, people place more personal information on the internet. Consumers engage in millions of daily transactions using the internet. This important tool presents new crimes that must be combated. Cyber Crimes include Identity Theft, use of the internet for the illegal sale of prescription drugs, and other internet related scams.

White Collar Crimes
The largest thefts in US history involved criminals who used pens or computers. Some corporations fraudulently report their financial records. This illegal act violates the trust people place in financial reporting and negatively impacts the value of all corporations engaged in similar businesses. This type of fraud can immediately deplete a retirement account and leave citizens penniless. White Collar Crimes impact everyone. They include embezzlement, fraud, and criminal violations of New York State Labor Law, New York State Environmental Law, and New York State Insurance Law.

Crimes Against The Elderly
Our elderly population saved our nation from The Great Depression and bravely defended it during the World Wars. They built our nation on trust in their fellow citizen. Today, they need extra protection because some criminals violate that trust. These criminals specifically seek out our elderly population and befriend them, steal their identity and assets, and destroy their faith in society. Crimes Against the Elderly include Identity Theft, Schemes to Defraud, and theft of assets under the guise of planning.

Public Integrity Bureau's Complaint Form
Click here to download the Public Integrity Bureau's Complaint Form. Please complete the form and submit it to the Public Integrity Unit. A member of the Unit will respond in writing.