The Special Investigations Unit investigates complex cases involving misuse of public funds, white collar crime, tax fraud, real estate fraud, welfare fraud, consumer fraud and other traditional and non-traditional criminal conduct, including organized crime.

Members of the SIU also probe computer crimes and multi-jurisdictional crimes, working in cooperation with state and federal agencies to ensure that all investigative avenues are utilized to facilitate successful prosecution and justice for citizens of Rockland County.

The goal of Special Investigations Unit prosecutors is not only to ensure that offenders are punished, but that the victims of their crimes receive some measure of restitution, whether private citizens or branches of the state government. By partnering with the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services, the Special Investigations Unit seeks to return lost or stolen revenue to Rockland County and the state via the New York Crimes Against Revenue Program (CARP).

Rockland’s Special Investigations Unit has been in the forefront of the state when it comes to investigating and prosecuting high-tech criminal behavior and other complex schemes, resulting in dozens of convictions.

Special Investigations Unit Offenses

Public Corruption

The Special Investigations Unit probes and prosecutes cases when a public official illegally abuses the power and confidence granted by the citizenry. Examples of violations of the public trust include bid rigging in public projects; illegal use of influence; criminal violations of election law; violations of public procurement regulations and law; and illegal lobbying and bribery.

White Collar Crimes

The largest thefts in U.S. history didn’t involve weapons, but rather criminals who used pens or computers. White collar crime includes embezzlement, fraud, and criminal violations of New York State Labor Law, New York State Environmental Law, and New York State insurance law. Some corporations fraudulently report their financial records. This illegal act violates the trust people place in financial reporting and negatively impacts the value of all corporations engaged in similar businesses. This type of fraud can immediately deplete a retirement account and leave citizens penniless.

Welfare Fraud

The Special Investigations Unit prosecutes cases of known or suspected violations of the law related to the fraudulent receipt of welfare funds. Investigators trace, locate, and contact suspects, witnesses, employers, other law enforcement agencies and other public and private entities to secure and verify information related to welfare fraud. Suspects and witnesses are interviewed and their testimony is analyzed to determine allegations of fraud or forgeries related to welfare benefits.

Welfare fraud most commonly consists of recipients failing to report income, failing to report that an absent parent is no longer absent, or failing to report that aided children no longer live in the aided household. Through this fraud, welfare recipients receive cash aid and/or food stamps for which they are ineligible. Whether enforcement actions are criminal or civil, the primary goals of litigation are restitution to the taxpayers for the fraudulently obtained services and deterrence.

Consumer Fraud

The Special Investigations Unit works wit the Rockland County Office of Consumer Protection to investigate and prosecute unfair or dishonest business practices so that Rockland County consumers get a dollar’s value for their dollar spent. The division’s work also protects honest business owners from dishonest competitors. Examples of fraudulent business practices include false advertising, deceptive sales practices, health fraud, fraud aimed at minority communities and unfair competition.

Through lawsuits which levy heavy monetary penalties for fraudulent practices and through jail sentences, the Rockland County District Attorney strives to uphold New York State laws which protect the consumer.

Cold Case Unit

The Rockland County District Attorney’s Office previously has never had a dedicated Cold Case Unit to address and investigate long standing unsolved homicides.  The local police departments have historically investigated these cases on their own without the benefit of assistance from the office, including use of Grand Jury subpoena power.  There are many cold cases that still need to be solved, and families provided some degree of closure and justice. As detectives from the local police department retire and these cases are shelved or either transferred to another detective, there is a loss of historical knowledge of the case and momentum to the investigation.  With continued evolution in DNA technology and an increase in DNA databases through familial DNA sites, more cold cases are being solved around the country.  Detectives in the Unit work closely with the assigned Assistant District Attorney, the case detectives from the local police department and often members of the F.B.I in the investigations.  The formation of this Cold Case Unit has been beneficial to the law enforcement community within the County and assist in investigating and hopefully solving these long-forgotten cases.

Organized Crime

The Organized Crime Unit combats organized crime throughout Rockland County.  The Organized Crime Unit often works with other law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute complex and systematic criminal activity committed by members of criminal organizations and enterprises. The Organized Crime Unit gathers intelligence concerning members of organized crime’s illegal activities and investigates these criminal activities based on the intelligence gathered.  The Organized Crime Unit utilizes complex investigative techniques and analytical methods.  Members of the unit have experience and training in the debriefing of confidential sources, in surveilling persons involved in illegal organized activities, in conducting searches for illegal records, and in reviewing the records of illegal enterprises. The cases often include: bribery, coercion, criminal usury, enterprise corruption, extortion, gambling and money laundering.