Investigative reporter Greg Smith, who has been covering the issues at NYCHA, expressed little surprise at the recent corruption scandal within the agency. Smith, speaking on “Mornings On 1,” stated that he had been writing about the problem since 2019, indicating that the corruption was not unexpected.
This week, 70 NYCHA employees were arrested and charged with bribery and extortion, following a lengthy investigation that uncovered employees pocketing $2 million in bribes in exchange for $13 million in no-bid contracts. Prosecutors have stated that the scheme had been ongoing for years, hidden in plain sight.
Smith highlighted the extortion tactics used by employees, noting that superintendents and assistant superintendents were extorting contractors for work. He emphasized that the root issue was the lack of oversight, with no one paying attention to the corruption taking place within NYCHA.
Smith questioned the whereabouts of management during the scandal, pointing out the failure of supervision within the agency. With concerns about the lack of oversight and accountability, the corruption scandal at NYCHA has raised serious questions about the management practices within the organization. As investigations continue, the focus remains on addressing the weaknesses in supervision and ensuring transparency and accountability within NYCHA.
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