The New Jersey State Commission of Investigation (SCI) is an independent governmental fact-finding agency in the

U.S. State In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its sover ...

New Jersey New Jersey is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York; on the east, southeast, and south by the Atlantic Ocean; on the west by the Delaware ...

whose mission is to identify and investigate organized crime, corruption and waste, fraud and abuse in government spending by state, municipal and school bodies.

History

The SCI was established in 1969 as an independent agency funded directly by the

New Jersey Legislature The New Jersey Legislature is the legislative branch of the government of the U.S. state of New Jersey. In its current form, as defined by the New Jersey Constitution of 1947, the Legislature consists of two houses: the General Assembly and the ...

. No more than two of the Commission's four members may be of the same political party, and its members are appointed by the

Governor of New Jersey The governor of New Jersey is the head of government of New Jersey. The office of governor is an elected position with a four-year term. There is a two consecutive term term limit, with no limitation on non-consecutive terms. The official res ...

, the President of the

New Jersey Senate The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. There are 40 legislative districts, representing districts with an average population of 232, ...

and the Speaker of the

New Jersey General Assembly The New Jersey General Assembly is the lower house of the New Jersey Legislature. Since the election of 1967 (1968 Session), the Assembly has consisted of 80 members. Two members are elected from each of New Jersey's 40 legislative districts for ...

, to serve three-year terms on a staggered basis. Members and staff of the SCI are prohibited from participating in non-federal political activity in New Jersey. The Governor, members of the Legislature, and other public officials at the federal, state, county and local level can refer matters to the Commission, as can average taxpayers. The SCI is an investigative body that operates in the fashion of an

inspector general An inspector general is an investigative official in a civil or military organization. The plural of the term is "inspectors general". Australia The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security (Australia) (IGIS) is an independent statutory off ...

. It conducts fact-finding probes, often targeting wasteful and abusive governmental practices, and makes the results public even if no criminal prosecution is contemplated. The SCI is required by law to pursue these investigations beyond the sphere of political influence or favoritism and is required to make its findings public through written reports and/or public hearings. Since the SCI does not have prosecutorial functions, it is required to refer information of possible criminality to the appropriate authorities.

External links

New Jersey State Commission of Investigation
Investigation 1969 establishments in New Jersey {{NewJersey-stub

History

See also

External links