Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"Edward Kuriansky's extraordinary legal and investigative background make him an excellent choice to succeed and expand upon the superb work done by Howard Wilson," Mayor Giuliani said. "Ed has served the public for two decades, first as a federal prosecutor and then as a Special Prosecutor for the State, uncovering fraud and misconduct. I welcome him to the administration and have complete confidence that he will follow in Howard's footsteps and do a superb job."
Mr. Kuriansky is currently a partner at the Manhattan law firm of Kalkines, Arky, Zall & Bernstein LLP, where he heads the firm's practice in health care fraud and abuse compliance and investigations. From 1981 to 1995, he served as New York State's Deputy Attorney General and Special Prosecutor for Medicaid Fraud Control. He first joined the Special Prosecutor's Office in January 1976 and served as Chief Assistant to former Special Prosecutor Charles J. Hynes for two-and-a-half years before being named Special Prosecutor by former Governor Hugh L. Carey and former Attorney General Robert Abrams.
While first at the Special Prosecutor's Office, Mr. Kuriansky directed the Vendor Project, an 18-month undercover investigation which resulted in the indictment and conviction of more than 50 proprietary nursing home officials and their suppliers for involvement in extensive kickback schemes. He also personally handled the Federal Court proceeding which upheld the conviction of infamous nursing home operator Bernard Bergman.
As Special Prosecutor, Mr. Kuriansky was responsible for the investigation and prosecution of some of the largest and most sophisticated Medicaid fraud cases ever uncovered in the United States -- many of which attracted national and worldwide media attention. In honor of his work at the Special Prosecutor's Office, the New York State Bar Association presented Mr. Kuriansky with its "Prosecutor of the Year" award in 1987 for "stemming the tide of Medicaid fraud in New York State." In 1993, the Office received special recognition for "exemplifying excellence in public service" by the Public Employees Roundtable -- a nonprofit, nonpartisan Washington D.C. coalition of 30 professional and management associations representing 950,000 public employees and retirees nationwide.
Before his appointment to the Special Prosecutor's Office, Mr. Kuriansky served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York for more than four years, specializing in cases of official and political corruption. From 1969 to 1971, he served as law clerk to the Honorable Morris E. Lasker, U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District. He attended public schools in Stamford, Connecticut, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth College in 1966. He received his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1969.
As Commissioner of the Department of Investigation, Mr. Kuriansky will oversee an agency that promotes and maintains integrity and efficiency in government operations. The Department investigates and refers for prosecution City employees and contractors engaged in corrupt or fraudulent activities or unethical conduct. The Department also analyzes and studies various aspects of the operation of City government to identify management practices, operations, and programs that can be improved.