REMARKS
Opening Remarks by Council Member Chris Banks, Chair of the Committee on Public Housing,
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3 min
Council Member Chris Banks initiates a joint hearing to scrutinize the corruption scandal within the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA).
- Banks chairs the first joint session alongside the committees on contracts and oversight and investigation, focusing on NYCHA corruption. - Expresses disappointment that his inaugural hearing as chair addresses allegations of bribery, extortion, and improper contract awards in NYCHA. - Aims to delve into NYCHA's response to these allegations, the acceptance of specific recommendations from the Department of Investigation, and the gaps in oversight. - Seeks to understand measures for rebuilding NYCHA residents’ trust post-scandal. - Acknowledges his team and the Public Housing Committee staff for their dedication to organizing the hearing.
Chris Banks
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This meeting is Cole Torres.
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Good afternoon, everyone.
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I am Kelseyman, Chris Banks, the chair of the committee on public housing, and I'm glad that my first hearing at chairs being held jointly with the committee on contracts and the committee on oversight and investigation.
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We are joined by my colleagues from all three committees, councilman Rivera, councilman Gio Ce.
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And the councilman Sanchez and councilman voucher.
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While I'm glad to be sharing this committee and to be here with my colleagues.
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But I'm also deeply disappointed that my first hearing as chairs to focus on the corruption scandal in nature.
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The allegations, the arrests, made earlier this month undermines New York's trust and even more, importantly, the residents of Nitro's trust.
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That public money is being spent appropriately.
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The repairs to nitrile apartments are being made correctly and quickly.
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And at night, she is on the right track.
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The allegations of bribery, extortion, an awarding of no bid contracts announced by the US attorney early this month extend to almost 100 nitride developments across the entire nitride portfolio.
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As the US attorney stated in his press conference, The Brett of the allegation showed that there was a culture of corruption among nitrile superintendents that allegedly extended until as recently as last summer.
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Today, my colleagues and I wanna hear from Nitro about what steps they have taken to address these allegations both in the immediate and aftermath and what steps they likely will take in the future.
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I'm pleased that both Department of stigation.
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The US attorney said nitrile leadership is cooperating and pledged to Institute DOI's recommendations, but there were still questions to be answered.
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DOI made recommendations when contract were indicted in 2001 for the other half of these alleged transactions, but only some of the recommendations were accepted.
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I would like to know the decision making process around which recommendations were accepted and which were not.
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I would also like to know what the gaps are in the process and oversight were that allowed these alleged behavior to continue until last year.
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And finally, I wanna know what steps are going to be taken and try.
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And earn back night shift residence trust.
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I would like to thank my staff, Mike Lambert, along with the public housing committee staff, Jose, Charles, Camden, Nicholas, Christopher, and Connor for the work they've put in this hearing.