Probed IT techs tied to NY pols
Four Congress members from New York City employed the Capitol Hill techies reportedly being probed for alleged equipment theft and possible breaches of the House computer network.
Three of the five IT staffers worked at different times for Reps. Gregory Meeks (DQueens) and Yvette Clarke (D-Brooklyn). One also worked for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn/Queens). Another was a staffer for Rep. Joseph Crowley (DQueens/Bronx), the Queens Democratic Party chairman.
It is not known if the investigation by the US Capitol Police, reported by Politico, involves the theft of classified information.
The IT ring includes three brothers — Imran, Jamal and Abid Awan — and Imran’s wife, Hina Alvi. The fifth, Rao Abbas, is unrelated to the family. All are from Virginia and worked in the four New York Democrats’ offices in DC.
Last week, Meeks fired Alvi, telling Politico the probe was interfering with his office’s daily routine.
Meeks, once dubbed one of “the most corrupt members of Congress” by a government watchdog, said he had not seen evidence of wrongdoing by Alvi or the others.
He said they may have been falsely targeted because they are Muslims, some with ties to Pakistan.
Alvi, 32, had worked for Meeks since 2008 and last year made $126,225, public records show. Her husband and brother-in-law were previous Meeks staffers.
The brothers, Alvi and Abbas could not be reached for comment.
A spokeswoman for the Capitol Police would not comment.