Corrupt NYC pols beware: federal prosecutors launch new whistleblower program

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have launched encouraging witnesses of public corruption and other crimes to come forward without fear. At an informal sit down with journalists who cover the federal courts in Manhattan, said the idea behind the pilot program is to help prosecutors find out what they don’t know.

He said he hopes it will help prosecutors root out corrupt power players by incentivizing whistleblowers to cooperate with the feds early and voluntarily in exchange for non prosecution agreements. “There are plenty of people, I imagine, out there who have some exposure, who are laboring under the kind of anxiety that they’ve done something wrong and they don’t want to live in fear, who, if they hear about it, we hope they end up giving us a call.

There’s a path for them,” Williams said. From C suites on Wall Street to the subway tunnels of the M.T.A., federal prosecutors hope to hear from staffers across the public and private sectors with information about nonviolent corruption offenses they’ve witnessed or participated in on the job.

They’re not looking to speak with elected or appointed officials, federal law enforcement, CEOs or people poised to become public figures — but their underlings who may be looking for a road to redemption. Whistleblowers who have participated in violent conduct, sex crimes or terrorism or who have a prior felony conviction for fraud and dishonesty are not eligible.

Non prosecution agreements are , who have taken down the likes of prolific Ponzi schemer Bernie Madoff, Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell and, recently, Sam Bankman Fried, the F.T.X. founder convicted of stealing billions from his clients. The new program doesn’t represent a policy change or shift but rather a flare alerting people involved in dodgy dealings at work that they have an out, Williams noted.

“We encourage people who qualify for the program to take advantage of the opportunity to come clean, cooperate and get on the right side of the law,” he said. “Our message to the world remains: Call us before we call you.” Williams’ public corruption unit is currently pursuing several high profile targets, including in the bribery case against New Jersey Sen.

Bob Menendez, who’s pleaded not guilty to a host of charges. He’s also investigating Eric Adams’ 2021 campaign for mayor and its ties to Turkey, , though the prosecutor has declined to comment on or confirm any aspect of the probe. Adams has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing..