 In 1976 , the Public Integrity Section was established within United States Department of Justice Criminal Division with general supervisory jurisdiction over public corruption offenses . By 1977 , " [ t ] he four United States attorney 's offices most active in this field — the Southern District of New York , New Jersey , Maryland , and the Northern District of Illinois — " had " developed coteries of high skilled prosecutors and a tradition of success that encourages an atmosphere of alertness to potential corruption cases . " 
