Case #205.0

Johnstown Department of Purchase

Publication Date: January 01, 1975
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Abstract:
This case details the 1971 federal investigation into the Purchasing Department in Johnstown, a medium-sized industrial city in the Midwest. Prior to the investigation, there had been extensive restructuring of the city government after a series of scandals in the 1960s. The Purchasing investigation looked into suspected bribes, from local auto-parts suppliers to department officials. Ultimately, investigators were unable to confirm if said bribes occurred. In the words of detective Thomas "There is a lot of smoke but no fire that we can find."

Learning Objective:
This case allows students to reflect on the effectiveness of both the investigators' and Purchasing department's efforts to curtail bribery in the public sector.

Other Details

Case Author:
N/A
Faculty Lead:
N/A
Pages (incl. exhibits):
9
Setting:
United States
Language:
English