NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, in conjunction with New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Margaret Garnet, announced nine contractors were indicted Monday on multiple charges for allegedly trying to bribe Housing Authority employees in exchange for “micro purchase” contracts — for deals under $10,000 that do not require multiple bids.
In addition to third-degree bribery, the nine defendants have also been charged with first-degree offering a false instrument for filing, giving unlawful gratuities and fifth-degree conspiracy.
Gonzalez said defendant Lakhwinder Kumar allegedly told an assistant superintendent at a NYCHA development in Brooklyn that he "appreciated the jobs he received and offered him money" in November 2018.
The employee reported the bribe to the DOI, which then gave him audio and video recording devices and later recorded Kumar handing him $450 in exchange for a "micro purchase" job.
In July 2019, the DA said defendant Surinder Singh offered $600 to another superintendent at a NYCHA development in an unrelated incident. The employee tried to return the money by Singh refused to accept it. This incident was then reported to the DOI.
Weeks later, Singh allegedly left money in the employee's office. It was reported to DOI and they were also equipped with audio and video recording devices.
Starting Spring 2019, DOI would use undercover investigators posing as assistant superintendents who uncovered the continued bribery plot that included development areas around Brooklyn and one in Queens.
Between December 2018 and May 2021, the nine defendants allegedly paid bribes or "unlawful gratuities" to undercover agents or employees totaling about $20,000 in cash, in addition to four bottles of scotch and two $500 gift cards, in an attempt to secure these small repair jobs.
"These defendants allegedly tried to seek favors from NYCHA superintendents by offering them bribes, corrupting a process meant to ensure contracts are fairly awarded," Gonzalez said. "I commend the employees who came forward to report the bribe offers, kicking off this investigation."
Gonzalez pledged his office will continue to work to root out bribery other illegal schemes.
The defendants are being arraigned in a Brooklyn federal court Monday and will be released without bail.