COIB Order Announced

 

The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (the “Board”) announces a Board Order (attached as “COIB Order”).

 

Misuse of Confidential Information. A New York City Police Department (“NYPD”) Detective assigned to the 84th Precinct in Downtown Brooklyn had duties that included responding to non-emergency 311 complaints. One Brooklyn resident, “JS,” regularly filed complaints about vehicles parked on sidewalks and bike lanes outside the 84th Precinct. In his complaints, JS included his name and personal cell phone number. This contact information was confidential and to be used only for City purposes.

 

After a full hearing, the New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (“OATH”) Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) found that the Detective “twice abused her access to confidential information to advance her private interests”:

 

• On August 26, 2021, the Detective called JS to discourage him from submitting additional 311 complaints.

 

• On October 18, 2021, the Detective sent JS a threatening and profane text message shortly after an online news article reported on the Detective’s earlier phone call with JS. To send the text message, the Detective used a false cell phone number, established for the purpose of shielding her identity.

 

The ALJ recommended, and the Board adopted, a $6,500 fine for this conduct. In setting the fine, the ALJ considered that the Detective “is in a position of public trust” and that her “egregious abuse of confidential information . . . cannot be tolerated.” In issuing its Order imposing a $6,500 fine, the Board further considered that the Detective “has not taken responsibility for her violations, but rather litigated her enforcement case at a trial at OATH.”  The Order directs that the fine be paid within 30 days.