NYC Schools Investigators Accused of Hoarding Thousands of Ammunition Rounds

Investigators with New York City's Department of Education allegedly hoarded nearly 6,000 rounds of live ammunition and distributed the bullets among themselves to conceal the stockpile, according to a lawsuit.

The Special Commissioner of Investigation's (SCI) office, which probes allegations against the city's education department and its employees, is accused of stockpiling over 5,700 rounds of ammunition without a permit in a wooden cabinet at its Manhattan headquarters. The lawsuit claims that SCI Commissioner Anastasia Coleman, along with the city's Law Department, Conflict of Interest Board, and Department of Investigation, ignored evidence of wrongdoing.

Former SCI tech investigator Roberto El Lakkis and SCI computer systems manager Richard Marin filed an Article 78 lawsuit, seeking to compel the agencies to address the alleged corruption. El Lakkis first raised concerns about the ammunition storage in April 2023, stating that bullets were improperly kept in an unlocked cabinet in a room that also stored batteries, creating a fire hazard. The lawsuit notes that the building housing SCI's office also contains the private K-12 Quad Preparatory School.

According to the suit, SCI agents are generally not authorized to carry firearms, with exceptions for a few peace officers. Other agents, often former NYPD officers, are permitted to carry personal firearms. At the time in question, only three peace officers were employed by the agency, Marin stated.

New York City fire code requires a permit for storing more than 200 rounds of ammunition. The lawsuit asserts SCI did not possess such a permit.

After his initial concerns were not addressed, El Lakkis filed a complaint with the FDNY and the city Law Department in November 2023. During a subsequent visit, inspectors were allegedly told that only about 90 rounds were stored in the office and were unable to access the cabinet in question.

The lawsuit includes emails showing SCI Gun Custodian Joseph Piwowarski distributed 114 boxes, totaling 5,700 rounds, to nine investigators. Surveillance footage reportedly shows Piwowarski carrying armloads of ammunition in brown folders from a tech room. Further videos allegedly depict him handing a folder to an SCI agent.

Piwowarski reportedly sent detailed records of the ammunition distribution to SCI Deputy Commissioner Daniel Schlachet and Chief Investigator Mike Bisogna. The ammunition included .9mm and .38 caliber rounds from brands such as American Eagle and PMC Bronze.

SCI First Deputy Commissioner Daniel Schlachet reportedly told investigators that the ammunition was for peace officers to complete their state-mandated yearly firearms training and that the agency would cease purchasing ammunition. However, the plaintiffs allege the ammunition was taken home by agents to prevent FDNY investigators from discovering the unauthorized stockpile.

Plaintiffs claim they faced retaliation for exposing the alleged wrongdoing. El Lakkis stated he was fired, while Marin reported being suspended. Ralph Gerard, a former vehicle fleet manager and witness, also claims he was forced out of his job for reporting alleged personal use of city-provided EZ-Passes by SCI agents.

The Law Department reportedly cleared SCI in its investigation, but the plaintiffs' lawyers contend this investigation was compromised.

An SCI spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. Bisogna, Piwowarski, and Anderson could not be reached for comment.