CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- United States Attorney Mike Stuart and representatives from federal and state law enforcement announced today the formation of a Public Integrity Special Investigations Unit to investigate corrupt public officials, the misuse of public funds, campaign and election law violations and suspected criminal activity.

The Public Integrity Special Investigations Unit includes representatives from federal and state agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigation Division; the Inspector General’s Offices of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of Defense  and the Department of Homeland Security; the West Virginia State Police; the West Virginia Commission on Special Investigations; and the West Virginia State Auditor’s Office.  The West Virginia Secretary of State’s Office will assist in investigating campaign and election law violations.

“Maintaining public integrity is a tremendous priority for me and for the Southern District of West Virginia,” said U.S. Attorney Stuart.  “Public corruption is a cancer on our system of government. If it’s not rooted out, the cancer grows.  It causes the public to be cynical about the honesty of public officials and public institutions.  There is an absolute burden on public officials and persons in a position of public authority to be honest brokers to protect the integrity of public service and the taxpayers’ wallets.  Dirty politicians and dirty public officials must and will be held accountable for violations of the public trust,” Stuart continued...