Overview
- New OIG records say investigators were turned away from an unannounced inspection of mayoral gifts, and city documents show the room later displayed in a February video was constructed afterward.
- The mayor’s office says the room was created to organize previously disorganized items and increase public and press access, citing a posted video and open viewing option that drew little interest.
- The OIG reports a separate July incident in which a Law Department attorney instructed a city employee to deny entry for another surprise inspection, after which investigators later confirmed prohibited items with a city attorney present.
- The advisory argues that blocking unannounced visits undermines evidence gathering and recommends City Hall issue guidance affirming the inspector general’s statutory authority to inspect premises without prior notice.
- According to the OIG, the mayor’s office declined to adopt the recommended fix, citing internal rules and evolving interpretations of the city’s ethics provisions.