Grimy Times
NEW YORK – In a shocking case of public corruption, Harry Fletcher, a former official of the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”), was sentenced yesterday in Manhattan federal court to 36 months in prison for taking more than $20,000 in bribes in exchange for awarding more than $240,000 in food stamp benefits.
According to the allegations, Fletcher approached two landlords, CW-1 and CW-2, and offered to provide them with monthly SNAP benefits in return for recurring bribe payments. The landlords agreed to pay the bribes and, as a result, received tens of thousands of dollars of SNAP benefits for which they were not eligible from 2009 through 2015.
Fletcher accepted over $20,000 in bribes for improperly approving over $240,000 in SNAP benefits to CW-1, CW-2, and the remaining defendants. The applicants bribing Fletcher were ineligible for SNAP benefits due to their income or to the fact that they did not reside in New York City and thus were not eligible for New York City social service programs.
“As he admitted in court, Harry Fletcher set up a scheme to receive bribes for providing illegitimate benefits. By doing so, he didn’t just take advantage of New York City’s social services system, he abused some of the neediest and least fortunate in the City,” said Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara.
This case is a stark reminder of the importance of integrity in public office. Fletcher’s actions not only wasted taxpayer dollars but also cheated those who genuinely needed the assistance.
The investigation was conducted by the New York City Department of Investigation (“DOI”) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”). The case was handled by the Office’s Public Corruption Unit, with Assistant United States Attorney Robert L. Boone in charge of the prosecution.
Defendant:
Harry Fletcher
Criminal Charges:
Soliciting and accepting bribes
City and State:
New York, New York
Date:
April 2016 (guilty plea), 2016 (sentence)
Sentence:
36 months in prison
Dollar Amounts:
$20,000 in bribes, $240,000 in food stamp benefits
Related Federal Cases
- Perry Joyner, Bribery and Attempted Assault, New York 2020 · Washington
- Edward Mangano, Bribery, New York 2010 · Oregon
- Mahmoud Thiam, Bribery and Money Laundering, New York 2024 · Washington
- Thomas David Carruth, Bribery, Obstruction of Justice, Honest Services Wire Fraud, Arkansas 2023 · Arkansas
- Anthony Sabaini, Bribery, Tax Evasion, Structuring Financial Transactions, Theft, Illinois 2023 · Alaska
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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