Posted on: November 23, 2024 01:20 PM

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Second former NYCHA superintendent convicted of bribery and extortion offenses at trial

In the Second Trial Following a 70-Person Takedown in February 2024, Hector Colon, a Former New York City Housing Authority Superintendent, Was Convicted of Bribery and Extortion for Accepting Cash From NYCHA Contractors in Exchange for Awarding Contracts

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Corruption is an insidious crime—difficult to detect, corrosive in its effect on government agencies, and damaging to the public’s trust in government institutions.  As a NYCHA Superintendent, Hector Colon abused his position of public trust by demanding thousands of dollars of bribes from contractors, betraying his duty to NYCHA residents, the City of New York, and taxpayers.  The jury’s unanimous verdict sends a clear message that those who use their public offices for personal gain will be held accountable.”

DOI Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said: “When public servants demand payoffs from vendors providing services to the New York City Housing Authority, they drive up the cost of those services, diverting valuable resources from the residents of public housing.  Today, this suspended NYCHA employee stands convicted by a jury for this criminal conduct, joining 59 convicted colleagues, among the 70 who have been charged.

Of the 70 individual NYCHA employees charged with bribery and extortion offenses in February 2024, 58 have pled guilty, and two have been convicted after trial.

COLON, 46, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of one count of federal program bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, and one count of extortion under color of official right, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

From DOJ