A New York City Department of Buildings inspector has been charged with taking a $1,200 bribe in exchange for not citing a construction firm that had continued working despite a stop-work order. — Construction Dive
According to Construction Dive, the inspector, Francesco Ginestri, was charged "with solicitation and receipt of a bribe related to his agreement to ensure that the DOB would not issue a $25,000 fine in connection with the stop-work order. " He was released on $150,000 bond last week and, if convicted, he will face a maximum of five years in prison, Construction Dive reports.
5 Comments
Gotta pay that NYC rent somehow.
While I have a long list of complaints about the NYC DOB, they've made efforts over the last decade to weed out stuff like this. At a recent on-site inspection, I asked the inspector if he'd like a cup of coffee...he said no, and that he could get in trouble if he accepted it. I said that that seemed a bit over the top, and he told me that DOB runs sting operations where they try to catch the inspectors taking bribes/gifts, so he's very careful about even a cup of coffee. Obviously the inspector in this story wasn't so worried about it.
Just makes you wonder how "Donald The Punisher", [& daddy too] have for decades dodged the DOB. Looks as if litigation shall become the order-of-the-day with dockets...misdemeanor and criminal in nature. I'm certain that architect's, material suppliers,contractor's and engineer's, et al, have been waiting for possible mega-lawsuits [class actions] against "the Liar-In-Chief" and his [less than stellar] brood!
I Gotta GO!
Imagine risking your fluffy 150k inspector salary for an extra 1.2k. What a doofus.
Yes, but those 12 bills add up if charging them on multiple projects. Corruption is hard work.
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