Composite image featuring Anastasia Coleman on the left, Khurshid Abdul-Mutakabbir at the upper right, and Oneatha Swinton at the lower right, dressed in white and carrying a blue bag with a black strap. Reports reveal a significant surge in complaints of misconduct by city Department of Education employees. However, the agency responsible for investigating these complaints only initiates probes into a small fraction of cases each year, as per records. The Special Commissioner of Investigation for city schools received a historic high of 11,874 complaints in 2024 but commenced investigations into merely 484 cases, accounting for a mere 4%, according to the agency’s 2024 annual report. City Councilman Robert Holden (D-Queens) has voiced the need for more funding for investigations, citing a lack of determination within the administration. The Special Commissioner of Investigation, Anastasia Coleman, highlighted at a recent City Council hearing how the current system fails to deter corruption effectively, stating that individuals caught engaging in misconduct often face minimal consequences. Some DOE employees implicated in investigations either resign or are terminated, but others accused are placed in a disciplinary limbo known as a “rubber room,” where they continue to receive pay and benefits without active duties. For instance, Khurshid Abdul-Mutakabbir, former principal of Maspeth High School, was removed in 2022 due to academic fraud but will continue to receive salary and benefits until his retirement in 2029. Similarly, Oneatha Swinton, a former principal convicted of car-insurance fraud, was retained on the payroll despite serious allegations of mismanagement and misconduct. Another case involved Joseph Canzoneri, a teacher at Townsend Harris High School, who faced allegations of inappropriate behavior with a former student, yet managed to keep his job and receive compensation. Critics argue that Mayor Adams and his predecessors overseeing city schools may not prioritize addressing issues of theft, fraud, and abuse to avoid political backlash.
The powerful teachers’ and principals’ unions, UFT and CSA, are known for protecting and defending their members accused of wrongdoing. Anastasia Coleman has been leading the SCI since 2018 and has faced criticism for being too lenient on City Hall. In late 2019, whistleblowers from the SCI anonymously contacted three city council members, claiming that investigations involving ex-Mayor Bill De Blasio, his wife Chirlane McCray, then-Chancellor Richard Carranza, and top aides were being delayed. A hearing on these allegations was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Coleman denied accusations of purposely delaying investigations.
Former deputy chancellor Eric Nadelstern noted that the labor unions, particularly UFT and CSA, hold influence over the state Legislature, impacting the city’s efforts to tackle corruption. The SCI operates with an annual budget of $6.3 million, a small fraction of the DOE’s massive $39 billion budget. With 55 staff members, including 33 investigators, the SCI is tasked with investigating crime, corruption, and sex abuse within the DOE’s 140,000-employee workforce.
Despite conducting 146 investigations into inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct by DOE employees last year, the SCI substantiated allegations in 43 cases. The whistleblowers’ complaint in late 2019 revealed concerns about delayed investigations involving high-profile figures. Additionally, the SCI identified cases of financial mismanagement totaling over $1 million, though it is unclear how much money was recovered by the DOE.
City Councilwoman Gale Brewer has called for increased funding for the SCI, emphasizing the importance of oversight. The SCI has collaborated with law enforcement to bring criminal charges against employees accused of stealing from schools. Special Commissioner Coleman has also been involved in joint investigations resulting in guilty pleas related to bid-rigging schemes that defrauded the DOE.
In addition to its role in investigating DOE employees, the SCI serves as the inspector general for the NYC Teachers Retirement System and supports the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board. Coleman highlighted the SCI’s mission to safeguard children and ensure the school district’s effective operation. The SCI handles complaints of gross misconduct, often referring less severe cases to the DOE’s Office of Special Investigations or external agencies.
According to spokesperson Jason Brooks, the Special Commissioner of Investigation (SCI) looked into 695 out of 9,638 complaints in 2019, equivalent to 7.2%. This percentage decreased to 3.5% in 2022 but has since increased. Brooks defended the 4% investigation rate, stating that it is typical for inspectors general in New York City and other locations. In contrast, the Department of Investigation opened 868 investigations out of 14,816 complaints in the past year, representing 5.8% according to its annual report. However, the Department of Investigation had a substantially larger budget of $56,184,808 for the fiscal year 2024 and ten times more investigators, totaling 347. When asked about why City Hall has not increased SCI’s budget or staffing, there was no response.
