Public Integrity Series

Background

In January 2020 former Public Works Director Mohammed Nuru was criminally charged with a scheme to defraud the City of his honest services by providing official action in exchange for bribes. In response to those criminal charges, the City Attorney and Controller launched a joint investigation into public corruption identified in the criminal complaint. While the City Attorney focused on employee and contractor wrongdoing across multiple departments, the Controller undertook a Public Integrity review of city contracts, purchase orders, and grants to identify red flags possibly indicating process failures. The Controller also created a Public Integrity Tip Line to facilitate the anonymous reporting of any information regarding the joint Public Integrity investigation.

Investigations by multiple federal and local agencies have resulted in criminal charges against individuals and corporations; resignation or termination of city officials and employees; suspension, debarment, and/or settlement of individuals and contractors; and settlements with contractors for the payment of restitution and civil fines. The assessments summarized in the August 2024 Update on the Implementation Status of Recommendations all relate to allegations of corruption that predate Nuru’s arrest or ended shortly after it. The Controller’s Office and the City Attorney’s Office may issue separate public integrity reviews as necessary and appropriate if future criminal conduct implicates city employees, officials or contractors, or impacts city functions.