Platkin, TRUST Commission call for new tools to fight corruption and boost trust in government

TRENTON, N.J. — Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the TRUST Commission on Wednesday released a report recommending a series of new tools aimed at eliminating corruption, promoting transparency and strengthening public trust in government.

The report is the culmination of work by the TRUST Commission — Transparency and Reliability Uniting to Secure Trust — which was formed in early 2025. It calls for the creation of a statutory Inspector General’s Office within the state Department of Law and Public Safety, stronger measures to address conflicts of interest, the establishment of a compliance unit to oversee adherence to state laws and directives, and other reforms.

“I established the TRUST Commission to bring together well-respected and accomplished New Jersey leaders to help us find ways to serve residents and respond to their concerns, because so many people have lost faith in their government and believe that government often does the bidding of the powerful and the privileged, against the will, and at the expense, of the people,” Platkin said. “Building on my Department’s efforts to root out corruption and end the cynicism, disillusionment, civic disengagement, and damage that it causes, the TRUST Commission members have developed thoughtful and specific recommendations that should receive full consideration. I am honored that everyone we approached about participating on the TRUST Commission immediately agreed to give their time and expertise. I cannot thank them enough for their continued service to the State of New Jersey and its residents.”

The commission, made up of 11 members including academics, legal experts, a former state attorney general, former federal prosecutors and retired judges, met with leaders of the Department of Law and Public Safety, gathered input from the Office of the State Comptroller and held public listening sessions in North and South Jersey.

During those sessions, commission members heard concerns about alleged corruption by government officials and a lack of public awareness about how to report suspected wrongdoing. The commission’s objective was to identify ways to improve transparency, efficiency and integrity across state government.

Among its recommendations, the commission urged collaboration among the Department of Law and Public Safety, the governor’s office and the Legislature to combat conflicts of interest at all levels of government. It also called for the creation of an Inspector General’s Office within the department under the attorney general’s authority, where conflict-of-interest and prosecutor misconduct referrals could be reviewed.

“The work of the proposed Office of the Inspector General would expand the ability of the Department to ensure that the government is worthy of the public it serves, holding it to the highest standards and rooting out wrongdoing even when it does not rise to the level of criminality,” the report states. “This is what the public demands and what the government must demand of itself. Improving the public’s trust in the government requires significant action and dedication to eliminating fraud, abuse, and unethical or illegal activity at all levels. Establishing a statutory Office of the Inspector General within DLPS is a necessary step in furtherance of that mission.”

The report also recommends new legislation to address conflicts of interest in public contracting, including criminal penalties for intentionally misleading statements during the bidding process and a statute similar to federal law that makes lying to a government official a crime.

“Improper bidding on public contracts, self-dealing, and the immense and unjust benefits of political deal-making that line the pockets of the well-connected are pervasive,” the report states. “The public senses it and feels powerless to take any action to stop it.”

Additional recommendations include establishing a compliance unit to track and publicly report whether regulated individuals and entities are following state laws and directives, simplifying the process for members of the public to submit corruption complaints, and increasing funding and staffing for the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which investigates and prosecutes public corruption cases.

The commission also highlighted concerns raised during listening sessions about abuse in group homes for people with disabilities. The report calls on multiple state agencies to work together to improve reporting systems and ensure complaints are handled promptly and effectively.

The full TRUST Commission report is available online.