C'est Vrai

We open journalism.℠

A computer-assisted reporting Web app used by Progress New York
Donate $25 today to our Go Fund Me to help us raise $300,000 in start-up capital.
Conflicts of Interest - C'est Vrai

C'est Vrai

Conflicts of Interest and Regulator Events

Les conflits d'intérêts

Transactions personnelles et influence indue

Self-Dealing and Undue Influence

C'est Vrai proäctively discloses all conflicts of interests and regulator events that are tracked in our proprietary database in an effort to promote greater Government transparency and official accountability.

Our independence allows us to link relationships to reports or allegations of corruption, self-dealing, and undue influence.

We connect the dots. For each category, we list a recent Top 10.

Conflicts of Interest

  • New York Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

    The New York City Council has asked the NYC Department of Investigation to open an inquiry into the reported coöperation by the NYPD with ICE's crackdown on immigrants to further the agenda of President Donald Trump.
  • Eric Adams, DNA House at Bitcoin 2025, Vegas conference, Matt Fraser

    Mayor Eric Adams raised money for his trouble reëlection campaign during a taxpayer-paid trip to attend a Las Vegas Bitcoin conference, with reported assistance from Matt Fraser, the City's top tech official, The New York Post revealed.
  • Donald J Trump, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani

    President Donald J. Trump (R) plans to accept the gift of a $400 million Boeing 747 jet from the Qatari royal family. He will reportedly make use of the jet as a replacement for Air Force One during his presidency and transfer the jet to his presidential foundation after leaving office, raising stark concerns that he is profiting from his elected office with consequences for anti-corruption efforts and for U.S. foreign policy.
  • David M. Hogg, Democratic National Committee

    According to a media report, David Hogg is reportedly using DNC contacts to fundraise for his Leaders We Deserve political action committee, representing a conflict of interest.
  • Alphonso David, HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN

    Alphonso David was reportedly terminated by HRC over violations of the group's conflicts of interest and its mission after Attorney General Letitia James (D-N.Y.) released a report that noted Mr. David provided assistance to then Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D-N.Y.) in responding to sexual harassment allegations.
  • Boris Epshteyn, Trump Transition Team 2024

    Mr. Epshteyn was reportedly seeking retainers from individuals, who were looking for appointments to the next Trump administration. The retainers were reportedly in exchange for promoting the individuals for appointments. Mr. Epshteyn denied the allegations, according to a report published by The New York Times. President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly ordered a review of the matter.
  • Blue Origin, Donald J Trump

    The reported, brief meeting between executives of Blue Origin and presidential candidate Donald J. Trump took place as Blue Origin seeks more Government contracts. It also took place on the same day it was announced that another Jeff Bezos-owned venture, The Washington Post, was pulling a planned endorsement of Trump campaign rival, Kamala D. Harris.
  • Jesse Hamilton, NYC Dept. for the Aging Relocation Contract

    As DCAS deputy commissioner for real estate services, Jesse Hamilton has discretion over real estate contracts entered into by the City of New York Government. A news report alleged that Hamilton intervened in a City real estate lease that by-passed the winning bidder, AmTrust, and, instead, went to 14 Wall St., which is owned by a donor of Eric Adams. Separately, it's been reported that the Manhattan District Attorney's Office is investigating commercial leases entered into by the City.
  • Kaz Daughtry, New York Police Department

    Deputy Commissioner Kaz Daughtry reportedly earned $60,000 in perks and overtime in 2023, despite regulations that bar such additional income for top NYPD brass, according to a report published by the New York Post. An accounting "loophole" reportedly allowed the high-ranking official to collect his former salary at a payroll grade that was eligible for extra income whilst serving in the civilian role as a deputy commissioner.
  • Tracey Collins, New York City Department of Education

    Tracey Collins has reportedly failed to appear for work in-person since November 2023, according to complaints filed with various Municipal ethics and compliance officers, raising the spectre that she gets paid for a "no-show" job, according a report published by The New York Post.

Regulator Events

  • PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL (NEW YORK), NewYork-Presbyterian Health Care System

    The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating antitrust violations by NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare system through inflated insurance payment rates, according to the New York Times.
    U.S. Department of Justice
  • Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Health Care System

    The U.S. Department of Justice is reportedly investigating antitrust violations by NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare system through inflated insurance payment rates, according to the New York Times.
    U.S. Department of Justice
  • Winston Faison, New York Police Department

    On July 16, 2025, investigators with the F.A.A. raided the NYPD's Aviation Unit's base on Floyd Bennett Field, Brooklyn, following complaints by NYPD officers against the Aviation Unit's commanding officer, who has since been dismissed. On July 4, 2025, a tail rotor was damaged during helicopter training, which triggered a requirement for reporting to the National Transportation Safety Board, but wasn't reported, according to an exposé published by the New York Post.
    Federal Aviation Administration
  • John L. Smith, U.S. Office of Special Counsel

    "The Office of Special Counsel confirmed on Saturday that it had opened an investigation into Mr. Smith for a possible violation of the Hatch Act, a law that prohibits federal workers from using their government jobs to engage in political activity," the New York Times reported, adding that, "Senator Tom Cotton, Republican of Arkansas, had asked the agency to investigate ...."
    U.S. Office of Special Counsel
  • Michael S. Jeffries, ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO.

    Mr. Jeffries is a co-Defendant in a 16-count indictment, charging the former Abercrombie & Fitch Co. CEO with sex trafficking and engaging in interstate prostitution related to conduct that took place between December 2008 and March 2015. Mr. Jeffries served as CEO of Abercrombie from 1992 to 2014.
    U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York
  • Weihong Hu, Exodus Transitional Community Inc

    The founder And CEO of a Non-Profit and two others were charged With Fraud, Bribery and Money Laundering offenses in an indictment filed by Brooklyn Federal prosecutors, the media reported.
    U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York
  • Christopher Dantzler, Exodus Transitional Community Inc

    The founder And CEO of a Non-Profit and two others were charged With Fraud, Bribery and Money Laundering offenses in an indictment filed by Brooklyn Federal prosecutors, the media reported.
    U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York
  • Erden Arkan, Eric Adams 2021

    Mr. Arkan reportedly pleaded guilty to a reported straw donor scheme that benefited the 2021 campaign committee to elect Eric Adams as New York City mayor, The New York Times reported.
    U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York
  • Jeffrey B. Maddrey, Quathisha Epps

    Jeffrey B. Maddrey, the former Chief of Department at the NYPD, stood accused of allegedly bribing a subordinate in exchange for sex acts that took place at his 13th floor office at One Police Plaza. Mr. Maddrey's attorney, Lambros Lambrou, denied the allegations. As a result of the political earthquake now rocking the police department, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has announced an investigation.
    Manhattan District Attorneys Office
  • Alfred Cockfield II, Striving for a Better New York

    Striving for a Better New York and its leader are reportedly the subjects of a Federal criminal investigation, according to The New York Times. The PAC was formed to support the political agenda of Mayor Eric Adams (D-New York City). However, as reported, much of the $1.3 million raised went to the leader and his associates.
    U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York