Seventy New York City employees charged with bribery and extortion, Justice Department says

The Justice Department on Tuesday announced charges against 70 current and former New York City Housing Authority employees on allegations of corruption and bribery. 

"These 70 defendants are accused of demanding kickbacks and bribes for access to no-bid contracts and lucrative, under-the-table deals," Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Ivan Arvelo said. 

The defendants were "charged with allegedly accepting cash payments from contractors in exchange for awarding NYCHA contracts," according to federal officials. 

New York City is home to the largest public housing program in the U.S., providing housing to more than 525,000 authorized residents, the city agency said in 2023. 

Tuesday marks the largest number of federal bribery charges brought in a single day in Justice Department history.

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