New York State Office of the Inspector General – Albany, NY

About the Inspector General

The New York State Office of the Inspector General (NYS IG) serves as the state’s independent watchdog, headquartered in Agency Building 2 at the Empire State Plaza. The office is tasked with ensuring integrity and efficiency in state government by investigating allegations of corruption, fraud, criminal activity, and abuse. Its jurisdiction encompasses all executive branch agencies, departments, divisions, and most public authorities and public benefit corporations. The Inspector General’s mandate also extends to overseeing the integrity of state-funded infrastructure projects.

Specialized Units and Functions

The agency includes two specialized offices: the Office of the Welfare Inspector General (OWIG), which investigates fraud within the social services system, and the Office of the Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General (WCFIG), which targets violations in the workers’ compensation system. The IG’s office conducts rigorous investigations that can lead to criminal prosecutions, administrative sanctions, or policy recommendations to prevent future misconduct. They also provide training to state employees on ethics and fraud prevention.

• Investigations: Probing fraud, conflicts of interest, and abuse.
• Reporting: Issuing public reports on findings and recommendations.
• Oversight: Monitoring state contracts and procurement processes.

Visitor and Contact Information

The Office of the Inspector General maintains high security standards. Unscheduled visits are strongly discouraged; individuals wishing to file a complaint are urged to use the online form, hotline, or mail service. If an in-person meeting is required, it must be scheduled in advance. Visitors to the Empire State Plaza Agency Buildings must present valid government identification and pass through security screening, including metal detectors and bag checks. The office operates a 24-hour hotline for reporting fraud and abuse.