New York State Study Commission for New York City Administrative and Investigative Files

The commission, commonly known as the "Scott Commission" after its chairman, Stuart N. Scott, was established in 1971. It investigated and prepared reports on the management of three New York City agencies, two housing programs, and the city pension system.

The commission operated in a period when New York City was experiencing economic, fiscal, governmental and racial crises. The New York City mayoral administration only reluctantly gave information to the commission, until the courts ordered it to do so. Chief Counsel John F. Keenan was later appointed Special State Prosecutor for Investigation of the New York City Criminal Justice System.

The series consists of records of the commission's chief counsel, John F. Keenan, and document one of the many state efforts to investigate and reform New York City government. The records cover commission investigations of management controls in selected New York City agencies; they do not include information on the commission's research and reports on New York City government organization, finance, and housing programs. Records include letters, memoranda, general subject and clipping files, litigation materials, subpoena files, notes of testimony, and investigative files on the New York City Department of Social Services.

Records were weeded at the time of accessioning by State Archives staff. Audio-visual material was transferred to Series 16104, Office of the Special Prosecutor for Investigation of the New York City Criminal Justice System Executive Files.

There are no restrictions regarding access to or use of this material.