Contact: Colleen Roche (212) 788-2958 or Dwight Williams (212) 788-2972
"The Department of Investigation is one of the oldest law enforcement agencies in the nation with a proud history of promoting and maintaining integrity and efficiency in government," Mayor Giuliani said. "With his extraordinary legal and investigative background, Ed is an excellent choice to succeed and expand upon the superb work that Howard Wilson has accomplished during the 33 months he served as Commissioner of DOI. For the past two decades, Ed has served as a federal prosecutor and then as Special Prosecutor for the State. I look forward to working with him and I know he will be committed to serving the people of this City with the honor and distinction that has always been a hallmark of his career."
The Mayor extended a special welcome to Commissioner Kuriansky's wife Judy, his mother Isabelle and his sister Joan.
As Commissioner of the Department of Investigation, Commissioner Kuriansky supervises 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.
"I am honored to stand here before you today as the new Commissioner for the Department of Investigation," Commissioner Kuriansky said. "I am strongly committed to serving the people of New York City and insuring that this City's workforce, the finest workforce in the nation, is not tarnished by the corrupt actions of a few. I would like to thank Mayor Giuliani for giving me this extraordinary opportunity to do important public service in an Administration that demands integrity in government and has zero tolerance for fraud, waste and abuse."
When the Mayor appointed him on September 19, 1996, Commissioner Kuriansky was a partner at the Manhattan law firm of Kalkines, Arky, Zall & Bernstein LLP, where he headed 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.
Before his appointment to the Special Prosecutor's Office, Commissioner 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.