FBI launches public corruption Web site to attract more tips Site will provide instructions on how to report BY CAROLYN P. SMITH News Democrat --
FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS -- The FBI has launched a public corruption Web site it hopes will attract more tips and enable the agency to end more public corruption.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Weysan Dun, from Springfield, and Emmerson Buie Jr., supervisory senior resident agent of the Fairview Heights office, held a press conference Friday morning to talk about the Web site, reportcorruption.fbi.gov.
"This Web site provides instructions on how to report corruption to the FBI, either by phone or online, using the Internet," Dun said. "Through this Web site and with help from the public, we will continue to build on our efforts to root out public corruption."
The FBI's top priority aside from fighting terrorism, is the fight against public corruption, Dun said. The new national Web site was launched three weeks ago.
Dun said the FBI is "fully engaged in the battle against public corruption because corruption erodes public confidence in governmental operations and undermines the strength of our democracy."
He said the majority of public officials are honest and committed to serving the community, but even a small percentage who are not destroys public trust and cannot be tolerated.
Currently, there are 2,200 public corruption cases being investigated nationwide, Dun said.
"Over the last two years, corruption indictments are up 40 percent and more than 1,000 elected or appointed officials have been prosecuted for illegal, corrupt activity," he said.
Dunn said the FBI needs support from its partners in federal, state and local law enforcement.
"However, our most important partner in this fight is the public," he said.
Contact reporter Carolyn P. Smith at csmith@bnd.com or 239-2503.
