Press Release

July 18, 2007

Central Illinois Task Force and Toll-free Tip Line Target Public Corruption

To encourage citizens to report wrongdoing, the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office have initiated a toll-free Tip Line: 1-877-U-Tip-Off (1-877-884-7633). The phone line is staffed 24 hours a day: during duty hours by agents assigned to the public corruption unit; after duty hours, by the FBI Operations Center for follow-up by the unit’s agents.

The Assistant Special Agent in Charge, FBI, Janice Fields stated, “Corruption is often unreported. Some may fear retribution; others may not know where to report suspicious activity. We encourage dedicated public servants, as well as citizens of the community, to assist us in rooting out corruption by calling the hotline. Information may always be provided in confidence to the task force.”

U.S. Attorney Heaton stated, “There is no excuse to look the other way or accept corruption as an inevitable cost of doing business. We cannot tolerate the notions that taxpayers won’t miss a little money taken off the top of multi-million dollar contracts or steering contracts to friends as business as usual. Unchecked greed and power betray the public trust and cast a shadow on the honorable service of those dedicated people who serve the public interest.”

toll-free Tip Line: 1-877-U-Tip-Off (1-877-884-7633)