The State of New Jersey Commission of Investigation was created in 1968 because of increased problems with organized crime and political corruption in New Jersey. The commission was created to conduct fact-finding investigations, bring facts to the public’s attention, refer findings to law enforcement agencies for possible prosecution, and make recommendations to the governor and the New Jersey Legislature for improvements in laws and government operations.
The commission conducts fact-finding investigations, holds hearings, and issues public reports to identify and expose corruption and shed light on waste, fraud, and the abuse of taxpayer dollars. The commission also recommends new laws and other remedies to protect the integrity of government processes on behalf of the citizens of New Jersey.
Areas of focus include:
- The enforcement of state laws, with a particular focus on organized crime and racketeering
- The conduct of public officials and public employees
- Any matter concerning public safety and public justice in the state
The most recent published report of the State Commission of Investigation looked at New Jersey’s COVID-19 response at homes for veterans. The commission found systemic and persistent problems with the operation and oversight of the nursing homes and affirmed the findings of other investigative bodies that during the pandemic, the homes’ residents did
not, and still do not, receive the level of care they are entitled to from the State of New Jersey.
View the commission’s complete list of investigations on the agency’s website.
The governor, members of the Legislature, and other public officials at the federal, state, county, and local levels can suggest issues for the commission to investigate. But so can residents of the state. Tips from residents have resulted in substantial investigations targeting government corruption.
Residents can submit tips via the State Commission of Investigation online contact form, or can call the commission at (609) 292-6767, fax (609) 633-7366, or mail documents to SCI, 50 West State St. 14th Floor, P.O. Box 045, Trenton, NJ 08625-0045.
If you are a whistleblower or are concerned about confidentiality, read our tipsheet about protecting your identity. Don’t send contact forms or emails from your workplace or work computers, work phones, or professional email addresses. Read more.