The Result of a Long-Term Investigation, a Total of 14 Defendants Have Been Indicted, Including Multiple Government Employees, a New York City-Based Driving School, Test-Taking Imposters, and Unqualified Applicants Who Paid to Illegally Obtain New York State Driver’s Licenses

On Tuesday, July 1st, Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon, New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang, the United States Postal Inspector Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles announced the arrest and indictment of several individuals for allegedly perpetrating a massive criminal scheme within the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. The result of a long-term investigation spearheaded by the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office and the New York State Inspector General, investigators uncovered a corrupt network involving not only government employees, but also individuals at a Queens-based driving school, imposters who took tests on behalf of unqualified applicants, and the applicants themselves who paid to illegally obtain driver licenses.

Among those taken into custody are multiple New York State motor vehicle examiners who brazenly betrayed their oaths of office by accepting cash in exchange for falsifying the results of countless road test examinations – or in many cases, allowing individuals to bypass the testing process altogether. In some cases, even the prerequisite learner’s permit was fraudulently obtained. The defendants have been charged with Impairing the Integrity of a Government Licensing Examination, Falsifying Business Records, Tampering with Public Records, and Identity Theft, among other charges.

“Today, we announce the arrests of several individuals involved in a deeply troubling, far-reaching, and corrosively corrupt scheme that struck at the very core of public trust and public safety,” said District Attorney Michael E. McMahon. “The consequences of these actions are grave. Countless individuals are now driving on our roads without ever having demonstrated the basic skills necessary to do so safely. Let me be clear, this was not a victimless crime. This has created a public safety crisis, putting innocent lives at risk each day. Moreover, every fraudulently obtained license represents not only a danger on the roads, but also a potential threat to homeland security, as a state-issued I.D., can be used to access buildings, board planes, and commit a host of other potential illicit acts.”

“The state employees indicted here sold out not just the safety of their fellow New Yorkers, but they sold out their oaths of office,” said New York State Inspector General Lucy Lang. “The conduct uncovered in this investigation represents a shocking betrayal of public trust - these defendants saw public service not as the privilege that it is, but as a permission slip for corruption. My office will continue to hold accountable those who abuse their public positions and endanger New Yorkers. Thank you to Staten Island District Attorney McMahon, the United States Postal Inspection Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and the New York City Police Department for their partnership.”

"As alleged, the defendants utilized deceptive social media practices and strategic advertising that targeted and exploited members of the Chinese community and guaranteed individuals driver’s licenses regardless of immigration status, language, and even their ability to actually operate a vehicle. Today’s announcement underscores the HSI New York El Dorado Task Force’s unrelenting focus on dismantling and disrupting fraud schemes that exploit vulnerable communities and jeopardize the public's safety. We are proud to stand side-by-side with our state and local counterparts in doing whatever it takes to protect New Yorkers,” said Homeland Security Investigations New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel.

“This case highlights the lengths criminals will go to defraud the American public. These individuals expected to capitalize from identity theft to take advantage of DMV systems, however when you use the U.S. Mail for illegal activity, you should also expect to be caught and brought to justice”, said USPIS New York Division Acting Inspector in Charge Edward Gallashaw.

“DMV appreciates the partnership of the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office and the Inspector General, and we applaud our employees who assisted authorities throughout the investigation. Their actions were critical in bringing this case forward,” said New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. “They continue to work tirelessly to make sure New York’s roads are as safe as possible and ensure that no one is above the law."

“This takedown sends a strong message that the integrity of our institutions and the safety of our communities will not be compromised. We will hold accountable anyone who abuses their public office, circumvents the law, or undermines the systems that millions of Americans rely on in good faith,” added District Attorney McMahon. “I commend our local, state, and federal partners for their dedicated efforts and partnership throughout the course of this investigation as well as the men and women of RCDA, including Economic Crimes Bureau Chief Gregg Brown, Assistant District Attorney Mark D’Amato, RCDA’s Detective Investigators under the supervision of Chief Investigator David Nilsen, Economic Crimes Bureau Accountant Carolyn Cain, and Veronica Bulding from my office’s Crime Strategies Unit – all of these incredible public servants collaborated together and worked tirelessly to bring these defendants to justice. The men and women of my office and our partners in law enforcement will continue to do all we can to uncover the full breadth and scope of this criminal plot and to prosecute those who orchestrated this nefarious scheme to the fullest extent of the law.”