Attorney General

From its website:

The Attorney General serves all New Yorkers in numerous matters affecting their daily lives. The Attorney General’s Office is charged with the statutory and common law powers to protect consumers and investors, charitable donors, the public health and environment, civil rights, and the rights of wage-earners and businesses across the State.

The Attorney General’s authority also includes the activities and investigations of the State Organized Crime Task Force and Medicaid Fraud Control Unit. While the Attorney General acts independently of the Governor, the Governor or a state agency may request the Attorney General to undertake specific criminal investigations and prosecutions.

The legal functions of the Department of Law are divided primarily into five major divisions: Appeals and Opinions, State Counsel, Criminal Justice, Economic Justice and Social Justice.

Over 650 Assistant Attorneys General and over 1,700 employees, including forensic accountants, legal assistants, scientists, investigators and support staff serve in the Office of the Attorney General in many locations across New York State.

Bureaus

Criminal Justice

This includes the following divisions:
Criminal Justice
Special Investigations & Prosecutions Unit
Real Estate Enforcement Unit
Auto Insurance Fraud Unit

Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau

The Attorney General’s unique statewide criminal jurisdiction enables the Criminal Enforcement and Financial Crimes Bureau (“CEFC” or “the Bureau”) to address criminal conduct throughout New York State, including complex financial crimes which cross county lines. The Bureau includes attorneys and analysts who, together with designated investigators and auditors, conduct in-depth, long-term criminal investigations and prosecute cases from charging through conviction. The Bureau’s main office is located in New York City, with additional offices in Albany, Buffalo and Syracuse.

Conviction Review Bureau

Jurisdiction to reinvestigate a criminal conviction rests in the first instance with the office of the prosecutor who obtained the conviction — most often a District Attorney. In many cases, however, a District Attorney’s office may lack adequate staff to conduct such a review, or may believe that a conflict of interest exists. The OAG’s Conviction Review Bureau offers its assistance to District Attorneys who seek help in performing an independent re-investigation. It is anticipated that these cases will be New York State Court convictions for serious felonies in which the claimant’s other options are exhausted (eg, an Article 440 motion has not succeeded).

The CRB is available for referrals as resources allow, and on referral will conduct a review of the case in anticipation of potential litigation, with investigations led by the CRB Chief. In addition, the OAG continues to address claims of actual innocence in its own cases.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit

The MFCU, the largest unit within the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, is the centerpiece of New York’s effort to investigate, penalize, and prosecute individuals and companies responsible for improper or fraudulent Medicaid billing schemes. A revenue-generating agency that recovers taxpayer money through successful fraud prosecutions, the MFCU utilizes a team-based approach to identify and investigate frauds committed by hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies, doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health care entities billing the Medicaid Program.

Medicaid Fraud Control Unit targets, among other things, large-scale frauds involving overbilling, kickbacks, substandard drugs and medical equipment, and “Medicaid mills” run by organized criminals. It also handles numerous cases in order to safeguard elderly and disabled New Yorkers from abuse and neglect in nursing homes and other health care facilities.

Organized Crime Task Force

The Attorney General’s Statewide Organized Crime Task Force (“OCTF”) was established by the Legislature in 1970 through the enactment of Section 70-a of the New York State Executive Law. OCTF is responsible for investigating and prosecuting multi-county, multi-state, and multi-national organized criminal activities occurring within New York State. OCTF specializes in identifying emerging and existing organized crime enterprises and, through a broad array of civil and criminal enforcement techniques, seeks to undermine their structure, influence and presence within the State.

Public Integrity Bureau

The Public Integrity Bureau (“PIB”) investigates and seeks to vindicate the public’s interest in honest government. When government actors, or private individuals acting in concert with them, engage in corruption, fraud or illegal behavior in the course of their public duties, the PIB may investigate or take enforcement action to restore the public’s interest in honest government and the integrity of government officials at the state and local level. Specifically, PIB handles complex investigations into government corruption, fraud and abuse of authority. Although PIB is part of the Criminal Division, PIB brings cases pursuant to both civil and criminal authority. The Bureau can also issue reports about its investigations and findings.

Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit

The creation of the Special Investigations and Prosecutions Unit (SIPU) had the goal to investigate and, if warranted, prosecute all cases that fall within the scope of Executive Order 147.

SIPU is staffed with experienced prosecutors, investigators, and a community liaison. While SIPU’s principal objective is to investigate the incidents covered by EO 147 without fear or favor in order to determine whether a prosecution is warranted, SIPU also seeks to enhance transparency and strengthen public trust in the criminal justice system in these sensitive incidents.

Division of Administration

This includes the following divisions:
Division of Administration
Administrative Services
Fiscal Management
Human Resources
Information Technology
Legal Recruitment
LEPD-Alb
Managing Attorney’s office

Social Justice

This includes the following divisions:
Charities Bureau
Civil Rights Bureau
Environmental Protection Bureau
Health Care Bureau
Labor Bureau

Economic Justice

This includes the following divisions:
Antitrust Bureau
Bureau of Consumer Frauds & Protection
Bureau of Internet and Technology (BIT)
Investor Protection Bureau
Real Estate Finance Bureau
Taxpayer Protection Bureau

State Counsel

This includes the following divisions:
Sex Offender Management Bureau
Civil Recoveries Bureau
Claims Bureau
Litigation Bureau
Real Property Bureau
Executive

This includes the following divisions:
Legislative
Press Office
Intergovernmental Affairs Bureau
Public Information and Correspondence Unit
FOIL

Solicitor General

This includes the following divisions:
Division of Appeals & Opinions
Criminal Appeals & Federal Habeas Corpus
Law Library

Other

This includes the following:
Regional Affairs: Regional Offices
Investigations: Investigations Division