FBI Announces Public Corruption Hotline

KANSAS CITY, MO—Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Michael Kaste of the FBI’s Kansas City Office, in partnership with U.S. Attorneys Tammy Dickinson, Western District of Missouri, and Barry Grissom, District of Kansas, announced today a new initiative aimed to solicit the public’s help in combating fraud and corruption throughout the two-state area.

This new joint initiative establishes a toll-free public corruption hotline—1-855-KCPCTIP—and e-mail address—KCPCTIP@ic.fbi.gov. The FBI’s number one criminal priority is to address public corruption at all levels of government. Many times, these crimes can be difficult to detect because of their secretive nature, and even more difficult to prove without the assistance of concerned citizens.

“The public’s help can make a significant difference, and the establishment of this hotline provides the public with the necessary tools to provide that help. If someone has information about potential wrongdoing by a public official or law enforcement officer, I encourage you to contact this newly established number or e-mail,” said SAC Kaste.

“This hotline is a valuable tool to expose corrupt public officials so they can be brought to justice for their crimes,” Dickinson said. “Voters and taxpayers rightfully expect their elected or appointed leaders to serve honestly with integrity. When the public’s trust is betrayed by leaders who abuse their position to enrich themselves, we will investigate and prosecute the offenders to the full extent of the law.”

Public corruption occurs when a public official, at any level of government, does any official act in exchange for money or other free goods or services. Accepting a bribe for awarding a contract, taking a kickback for providing a permit, or inaction by law enforcement for payment are examples of types of public corruption. A violation of federal law, public corruption includes bribes, embezzlement, racketeering, kickbacks, and money laundering as well as wire, mail, bank, and tax fraud—all which occur at the public’s expense.

“Crooked public officials undermine the public’s trust in our government” said U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom. “They dishonor the many honest and hard-working men and women who serve the public at all levels of government. With the FBI’s hotline, everyone can have a hand in fighting public corruption.”

The hotline number will also be featured on Lamar billboards throughout the greater Kansas City area, starting on Friday, November 22, 2013.

Details regarding the various types of public corruption investigated by the FBI can be found online: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/corruption.