Fwd: COIB Order Announced

[Ralph Yozzo]

You simply cannot make this stuff up. 

See you inside this document for these phrases 

"Likewise, Angela Johnson, his supervisor from November 2020 to his resignation, did not

give him permission to use his agency computer for personal matters (Tr. 75-76). She testified

that after observing respondent reading news articles on cannabis and real estate on his computer,

she spoke to him in person and sent him a “memo” regarding his inappropriate use of City

resources (Tr. 75-76, 79, 82; Pet. Ex. 6). The memo sent as an email on December 27, 2021, states

as follows: “This is you [sic] FINAL warning. I have advised you multiple times that the agency

equipment is NOT for “personal use. I have observed numerous times your [sic] using the

computer for personal use. This is unacceptable and will not be allowed or tolerated You are a

Special Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner, and I expect that you follow all agencies guidelines

and adhere to it [sic] restrictions. Failure to follow procedures and protocol will result in my

requesting disciplinary actions” (Pet. Ex. 6; Tr. 79-80).

Ms. Johnson testified to moving respondent to a cubicle 

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: press1 <pre...@coib.nyc.gov>
Date: Wed, Feb 11, 2026, 10:42 AM
Subject: COIB Order Announced
To:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 11, 2026

CONTACT: Jeffrey Tremblay at trem...@coib.nyc.gov or (212) 437-0740

 

The New York City Conflicts of Interest Board (the “Board”) announces a Board Order (attached as “COIB Order”) concerning a now-former employee of the New York City Human Resources Administration (“HRA”).

 

Misuse of City Resources; Prohibited Appearances; Misuse of City Position. An attorney and special advisor to an HRA Deputy Commissioner had multiple outside profit-making ventures, including owning and operating a cannabis dispensary. The special advisor used City resources—his City email account, laptop, and a City scanner—in furtherance of these outside ventures, despite having been warned repeatedly, including in writing, by his HRA supervisors not to do so. Additionally, in August 2023, the special advisor appeared before Manhattan Community Board 8 (“CB 8”) in support of an application to open a retail cannabis dispensary in CB 8’s jurisdiction. In his CB 8 presentation, he twice identified himself as a City employee for the purpose of obtaining a favorable vote from the Community Board.

 

After a full hearing, New York City Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (“OATH”) Administrative Law Judge Julia Lee issued a Report and Recommendation finding that Respondent had misused City resources, engaged in prohibited compensated communications with the City, and used his City position for personal gain. Judge Lee recommended an $8,500 fine. Adopting that recommendation, the Board imposed a fine of $8,500 on the now-former special advisor. In setting the fine, ALJ Lee found, and the Board agreed, that the special advisor is an attorney who knowingly and willfully violated the conflicts of interest law. The fine is to be paid within 30 days of the date of the Order.

 

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