Special Agent in Charge John S. Adams of the FBI’s Norfolk Division announced today a new initiative designed to solicit the public’s help in identifying and targeting public corruption.

The initiative includes the launch of a new, toll-free tip line number, 1-844-FIGHTPC (1-844-344-4872), a billboard campaign, and a free public corruption seminar open to the Hampton Roads community.

Public corruption is the FBI’s top criminal priority because it undermines the integrity of our government and erodes public trust. It is a violation of federal law for any federal, state, or local government official to receive anything of value in exchange for or because of any official act. The FBI relies heavily on our local, state, and federal partners to root out corruption, but concerned citizens are our biggest asset when it comes to exposing public officials who abuse their position for personal gain. As a result, the Norfolk Division has set up a free, confidential hotline at 1-844-FIGHTPC to provide an easy way for the public to report suspicious activity occurring in Hampton Roads. Online tips can also be submitted at tips.fbi.gov.

Citizens who are interested in learning more about public corruption—what they can look for and how they can help—are invited to a free seminar entitled: Aware.Prepare.Prevent—Public Corruption, on Thursday, April 23, 2015, 4:00 p.m., at the Chesapeake Conference Center, 700 Conference Center Drive, Chesapeake. For more information about this seminar or to register in advance, please call (757) 609-2595 or e-mail vanessa.torres@ic.fbi.gov.