City of Philadelphia: Investigations Division

Economic Crimes Unit

The Economic Crimes Unit is made up of the Insurance Fraud Unit, Government Fraud Unit, and Unemployment Compensation Unit.

The Economic Crimes Unit investigates complex, multiple defendant, or multiple victim white collar crimes. For example, embezzlements, counterfeit check schemes, organized identity theft, home improvement schemes, scams against the elderly, abuse of power of attorney, fraudulent investment, certain forged deed cases, and real estate and loan fraud. In the past six years, the Unit’s work has resulted in restitution awards of more than $8 million. To contact the Detective assigned to this Unit: 215-686-9902.

The Insurance Fraud Unit investigates cases referred to the Unit by insurance companies. Once a referral is received, it is assigned to one of nine investigators to review the request and investigate. The Unit has prosecuted everything from small- to large-scale Grand Jury investigations. To report insurance fraud call 215-686-8753 or please fill out one of the appropriate forms below and e-mail them to DADMS_InsFd@phila.gov. To contact the Detective assigned to this Unit: 215-686-8729 or IDADMS_InsFd@phila.gov.

The Government Fraud Unit is staffed by dedicated Assistant District Attorneys and specially assigned Detectives to investigate cases involving the illegal use or taking of government benefits by individuals or companies. Some examples of programs that the unit investigates and prosecutes include, food stamps, state benefits, SNAP, and child care benefits and or child care certification.

The Unemployment Compensation Unit, which is funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry, investigates cases of individuals and/or businesses illegally taking or illegally applying for unemployment benefits. The unit also examines cases where employers do not pay into the Unemployment Compensation Fund for their employees, and occurrences where the regulations governing the use and application of unemployment benefits have been circumvented or manipulated.

The Supervisor of the Economic Crimes Unit is Dawn Holtz. 215-686-8745, dawn.holtz@phila.gov.

Conviction Integrity and Special Investigations Unit

The Special Investigations Unit investigates complaints of municipal corruption and misconduct by government and law enforcement employees. The Unit works with the Philadelphia Police Department’s Officer Involved Shooting Investigation Team to assist and review investigations of all police officer firearm discharges to determine if criminal charges are warranted. SIU works with the Philadelphia Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division, City of Philadelphia Office of Inspector General, and other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The Unit also administers the County Investigating Grand Jury to support assistant district attorneys in conducting confidential, complex, and/or long-term investigations.

The Conviction Integrity Unit is staffed with dedicated Assistant District Attorneys, support staff and investigators, the unit investigates and reviews convicted offenders’ legitimate claims of innocence as well as cases alleging other types of wrongful convictions. In addition to reviewing cases, the unit makes recommendations about ways the office can operate more efficiently, effectively and adopt nationally-recognized best practices.

The contact for the Conviction Integrity Unit call 215-686-9646.

The Supervisor of the Conviction Integrity and Special investigations Unit is Patricia Cummings, 215-686-8747, patricia.cummings@phila.gov.

Dangerous Drug Offenders Unit

The Dangerous Drug Offender Unit investigates and prosecutes drug dealers and their organizations. The Unit works in conjunction with the Drug Enforcement Agency and other federal agencies. The Assistant District Attorneys assigned to this Unit are specially trained and frequently cross-designated as Special Assistant United States Attorneys while the Unit’s Detectives are often cross-deputized as federal agents.

The Supervisor of the Dangerous Drug Offenders Unit is Ryan Slaven, 215-686-5823, ryan.slaven@phila.gov.

To contact the Detective assigned to this Unit: 215-686-5859,5837 or DDOUtech@Phila.gov