U.S. Attorney Damian Williams | U.S. Department of Justice
Corey Gilmore, a former superintendent with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), has been convicted of bribery and extortion. The conviction was announced by Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Gilmore was found guilty after a four-day trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman.
Gilmore's conviction stems from his actions over approximately six years, during which he accepted bribes from contractors in exchange for awarding no-bid contracts or approving payments on existing contracts at NYCHA developments. "Corruption is an insidious crime—difficult to detect, corrosive in its effect on government agencies, and damaging to the public’s trust in government institutions," said U.S. Attorney Damian Williams. He further stated that Gilmore's actions were a betrayal of his duty to NYCHA residents and taxpayers.
The evidence presented during the trial highlighted that NYCHA is the largest public housing authority in the United States, receiving over $1.5 billion annually from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Typically, services required by NYCHA are procured through a bidding process unless under certain thresholds where designated staff can choose contractors without multiple bids.
Gilmore served as a superintendent at three Bronx-based NYCHA developments between 2016 and 2023: Bronx River Houses, Eastchester Gardens, and Forest Houses. During this period, he demanded $1,000 per contract awarded, accumulating tens of thousands of dollars in bribes for contracts worth hundreds of thousands.
Out of 70 NYCHA employees charged with similar offenses earlier this year, 59 have pled guilty while three have been convicted after trials.
Authorities encourage individuals with information related to illegal conduct by NYCHA employees to contact OIGNYCHA@doi.nyc.gov or call (212) 306-3356. Those involved are urged to self-disclose through the SDNY Whistleblower Pilot Program at USANYS.WBP@usdoj.gov.
Gilmore faces one count of federal program bribery with a maximum sentence of 10 years and one count of extortion under color of official right carrying up to 20 years imprisonment. Sentencing will be determined by the judge based on congressional guidelines.
The investigation was conducted by several agencies including the New York City Department of Investigation and Homeland Security Investigations as part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily Deininger, Matthew King, and Derek Wikstrom from the Public Corruption Unit.
