Evangelia Letendre '26

As a legal fellow working for the New York State Office of the Inspector General in Buffalo, I got an inside look at the checks and balances in place for monitoring the proper use of state programs and ensuring the honesty of employees working for NYS. NYSIG is composed of multidisciplinary teams across the state including investigative counsels, investigators, and auditors that conduct investigations into complaints of fraud, corruption, or abuse by any entity under its jurisdiction. NYSIG is known as the state "watchdog" because they oversee all NYS employees, NYS entities and organizations, and any state programs. NYSIG investigations frequently concern misuse and abuse of welfare, worker's compensation benefits, and additionally provide oversight of gaming and state correctional facilities.

This summer, I had the privilege of assisting with investigations concerning welfare and worker's compensation fraud. Throughout my tenure, I was given hands-on learning opportunities to observe witness interviews, prepare target interview questions, research and write legal memoranda to aid office investigations, and draft subpoenas. During the fellowship, many experiences were planned for us to hear from attorneys and judges working in public service during "Speaker Series" presentations hosted by the Attorney General's Office, to hear about different departments within NYSIG during "Lunch and Learn" presentations, to observe court proceedings in Buffalo City and Erie County Courts, and to visit organizations under NYSIG's jurisdiction. Some of our field trips included behind-the-scenes visits to the Darwin Martin House maintained by Parks and Recreation, the New York State Power Authority, and the Niagara County Courthouse. My fellowship culminated in an intern symposium where I presented my summer research project and final memorandum to other interns and NYSIG employees across the state.

It was a privilege to collaborate with and learn from investigative counsels and investigators in the NYSIG Buffalo office. Their dedication to working to ensure that state programs continue to work for the people and that state employees are held accountable for abuse of state programs or of their positions was admirable. This summer with NYSIG has further elevated my passion for public service, and I look forward to carrying out the missions of NYSIG to promote honesty, transparency, and accountability in the state as a future attorney.

If I had to choose one experience that impacted me the most, it would be the team approach to the public service work of NYSIG. Shortly after I began my summer, a time-sensitive matter came up from another office asking Buffalo NYSIG for help and I was lucky enough to join the "all hands on deck" effort. It was inspiring to see so many individuals from across the state working together to combat the abuse of state programs and to protect public assistance programs for NYS residents in need. One common thread that I witnessed among everyone at NYSIG was a dedication to public service work and to making a difference in our community from behind the scenes.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the generosity of Kristin Graham Koehler and David K. Koehler for making my experience in public service possible this summer. With your help, I was able to fully focus on taking advantage of every opportunity provided to contribute to the work of NYSIG and assist in ensuring that NYS public assistance programs and entities are working for the benefit of NYS residents in need. Your continued dedication to providing UB law students the freedom to pursue public interest work early in our careers is greatly appreciated and will continue to encourage a passion for doing good for the community in law students for years to come.