NYC Correction Department misconduct chief fined ,200 for misusing city vehicle for personal commuting and errands.
In a recent ruling, the city’s Conflicts of Interest Board imposed fines totaling ,200 on Lawrence McGugins, the director of the Department of Correction’s Special Investigations Unit (SIU). The penalties stem from unauthorized use of a government-issued vehicle for personal commutes and errands, which is in violation of city regulations.
The investigation revealed that McGugins utilized the city vehicle on 118 occasions between January 2023 and February 2024. These uses resulted in a financial burden of ,234.81 due to 257 E-ZPass trips, which he has been ordered to repay. Furthermore, a ,000 fine is to be repaid through an installment plan established by the board.
Significantly, the vehicle was designated as a “pool” car, intended solely for investigative operations on Rikers Island. McGugins was not authorized to utilize this vehicle for his personal commutes or for errands outside of work duties. The board’s findings indicated that McGugins would drive from his residence in Westchester County to an NYPD lot in the Bronx to avoid triggering alerts from the vehicle’s GPS system, which would notify authorities if the car crossed city lines. After parking the vehicle in the NYPD lot, he would then use it to travel to his workplace.
On days he was not scheduled to work, McGugins left the vehicle at the NYPD facility, thereby preventing other DOC staff from accessing it. The investigation also uncovered instances where the vehicle was employed for unspecified personal errands in various locales, including Long Island City, Flushing, and Manhattan.
As part of the settlement with the Conflicts of Interest Board, McGugins is required to sign a public acknowledgment of his misconduct. In this document, he stated that he mistakenly believed that the vehicle was available for his use in relation to his duties involving investigations into DOC employees. He admitted to not being authorized to commute using the DOC vehicle and recognized that it was intended for shared use among the SIU staff.
McGugins’ attorney has not provided comments in response to inquiries regarding the case, and the Department of Correction has also refrained from commenting on the matter. This incident is reflective of a pattern within the Department of Correction; two former commissioners have faced similar scrutiny over the misuse of department vehicles. In 2017, former Commissioner Joseph Ponte and then-Commissioner Cynthia Brann, along with eight other DOC officials, faced fines for personal use of city cars, underscoring ongoing concerns regarding misuse of government resources.
The recent developments surrounding McGugins highlight the compliance challenges faced within agencies responsible for oversight and integrity. The board’s actions serve as a reminder of the necessity for strict adherence to ethical standards in public service.
