Press Releases

Today, Congressman Mike Lawler (NY-17) released the following statement after over 60 NYCHA employees were arrested for their participation in an alleged pay-to-play scheme.

“For years, I have railed against NYCHA for corruption, mismanagement of funds, and more, and today, all of those concerns have come to a head,” said Congressman Lawler. “With the arrests of over 60 NYCHA employees for their participation in an alleged pay-to-play scheme, it’s clear that the entire authority must be investigated to ensure this corruption doesn’t run deeper.”

“That’s exactly why I introduced the Accountability for NYCHA Act, H.R.6550, which would require the Inspector General of HUD to provide a report to Congress on NYCHA and their activities to ensure they are in compliance with prior federal agreements,” continued Congressman Lawler. “This is all the more critical at this moment, to help prevent additional public corruption from one of the most corrupt public authorities in America which oversees a multi-billion dollar budget.”

“With hundreds of buildings and potentially tens of thousands of New York City residents being put at risk by the NYCHA employees who were arrested, it’s imperative we advance the Accountability for NYCHA Act expeditiously,” concluded Congressman Lawler. “Tackling public corruption and ensuring NYCHA residents aren’t living in squalor should be a bipartisan effort supported by all of New York’s Congressional delegation.”

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.