Investigations Commissioner Mark Peters Says It Ain't Over
March 20, 2015 — A little more than a month ago, we told you about a two-year investigation, initiated by the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office's Rackets Bureau, which revealed evidence of approximately $450,000 worth of alleged bribes made in connection with more than 100 residential and commercial properties in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. Eleven DOB employees; five Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) employees; and twenty-eight property managers, contractors, and expeditors were charged in 26 New York State Supreme Court indictments filed in New York and Kings Counties with crimes including bribery, bribe receiving, falsifying business records, tampering with public records, and official misconduct.
"Our investigation revealed a widespread network of corruption in the construction industry and among the city workers charged with keeping that industry safe," said DOI Commissioner Mark G. Peters said at the time. "We found that these 16 city employees, including several senior supervisory staff, took bribes to clear code violations including some that presented real safety threats." And it looks like that was just the tip of the iceberg.
In a meeting earlier this week with the Crain's editorial board, Peters said, "We are by no stretch of the imagination done looking at this. There is a clear and direct link between corrupt behavior and inefficient and ineffective behavior."
According to the Crain's article, the Buildings Department "has been cooperating with the department since one of its own inspectors came forward with information in 2013, which helped launched the case."
The DOB has also taken Peters' advice and named Reynaldo Cabrera as its risk management officer. Additionally, rather than allow specific inspectors and supervisors to schedule routes and inspections, it has rolled out a new program called Inspection Ready, which automates the process.
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