Relates to expanding the authority of the attorney general to investigate violations of the public officers law

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why James Skoufis says this is needed

Currently, for the Attorney General to investigate a matter of public interest, including violations of the public officers law, approval must be secured from the Governor. This allows a Governor to have significant power over investigations into the misconduct of public officials, including into the office of the Governor itself. In addition, under the current statute and case law interpretations thereof, the Attorney General has limited jurisdiction to prosecute criminal cases. In public corruption cases, in particular, the Attorney General must obtain a referral from the head of a state agency to commence a criminal case, thereby inhibiting the investigation process and efforts to stamp out corruption. See Della Pietra v. State of New York, 71 NY2d 792. To help curb corruption and instill the public's trust in its elected officials, it follows to givd the' Attorney General full prosecutorial jurisdiction regarding violations of the public officers laws without having 'to rely on a "referral". Further, in light of the independence of the Attorney General's office, its vast resources, and its statewide coverage range, it is appropriate for the legislature to designate the specific power to the Attorney General to investigate the abuses of a public officer's power. Our laws must. hold public officials accountable, and by expanding the power of the Attorney General, in these matters, there is no doubt that the misconduct of public officials will be thoroughly and independently investigated.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.