Public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal investigative priority, says the FBI Houston -- which says it encourages anyone with information "related to public corruption at any level," to report it to the FBI.
The "vast majority" of public servants who work at the local, state, and federal levels of government are honest and dedicated individuals who strive every day to do the right thing for their constituents, communities, and our country, says the local FBI, which adds: "Unfortunately, there is a small percentage of public servants who, whether elected, appointed, or contracted, are only concerned about a very specific constituency—themselves."
“Public officials who use their position for private gain undermine the integrity of government and erode the public's trust in the very framework of our democracy,” says Perrye Turner, special agent in charge of the FBI Houston field office.
The Bureau’s Public Corruption program focuses on:
--Investigating violations of federal law by public officials at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
--Overseeing the nationwide investigation of allegations of fraud related to federal government procurement, contracts, and federally funded programs.
--Combating the threat of public corruption along the nation’s borders and points of entry in order to decrease the country’s vulnerability to drug and weapons trafficking, alien smuggling, espionage, and terrorism.Addressing environmental crime, election fraud, and matters concerning the federal government procurement, contracts, and federally funded programs.
The FBI says it works with numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to combat public corruption -- and gets help from the public.
"Many FBI investigations of public corruption start with a tip from someone who encounters corruption," Turner says.
Anyone with information related to public corruption may report it to the FBI Houston field office at 713-693-5000.