State vs. Federal Prosecutors: Who Has the Upper Hand in Fighting Corruption?


17 minute read | December.17.2024

Federal public corruption prosecutions—targeting state and local officials for crimes like bribery, conspiracy, and mail or wire fraud—are often more prevalent than their state-level counterparts. This disparity arises from the practical and legal challenges New York state prosecutors face, contrasted with the broader and more generally effective tools available to federal authorities in combating public corruption.

In a new article for the New York State Bar Association Journal, Orrick’s Daniel R. Alonso explores the unique obstacles and advantages faced by both state and federal prosecutors in pursuing public corruption cases.