FBI - DENVER DIVISION, 1961 STOUT STREET, SUITE 1823, DENVER, CO 80294

For Immediate Release
March 12, 2007

FBI DENVER SEEKING INFORMATION ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION

The Denver Division of the FBI is committed to the elimination of corruption in all levels of government within the states of Colorado and Wyoming. Corruption erodes the public confidence in governmental operations and ultimately undermines the strength of our democracy. While the vast majority of public officials - both elected or non-elected - are honest and committed public servants, there are countless examples of investigations across the country involving public officials who abuse their position and the public trust.

Special Agent-in-Charge Richard C. Powers stated, "The violation of the public trust is unacceptable. Public officials at any level of government who seek to abuse their position for personal gain should be held to task. We are committed to dedicate the necessary resources to the elimination of corruption and all complaints will be carefully examined."

Since 9/11, the FBI reorganized our criminal program and resources placing public corruption matters as our top criminal investigative priority. In doing so, FBI Director Robert Mueller stressed that, "public corruption would not be tolerated and although rooting out corruption can be exceptionally difficult, it is a mission for which the FBI is singularly situated. We have the experience and skills to conduct necessary undercover operations and the ability to perform court-authorized electronic surveillance. But more than that, we have insulation from political pressure."

The FBI has taken a proactive stance to combat corruption and ensure that criminals are brought to justice. A "public corruption" matter involves any public official (i.e., either elected, appointed, or under contract), and/or a private individual, has, or is engaging in a corrupt scheme that involves either a direct or indirect abuse of the public official's trust, and/or undermines the integrity of federal, state or local governmental operations, in violation of federal law.

Over the course of the last several years, the FBI has seen an increase in the number of public corruption cases and indictments. Across the United States, the public has grown intolerant of corruption and we have initiated investigations based simply on a tip. The FBI is grateful of the willingness of the public to report corruption and the abuse of public office.

In May of 2006, the FBI established a weblink - reportcorruption.fbi.gov - which is designed to enable the public to report information about public corruption to the FBI. Concerned citizens seeking to report corruption information directly to the Denver FBI field office may also call (303) 629-7171.