Safety Inspector Faked Tests for Asbestos and Lead at NYC Construction Sites
Thanks to the always excellent Workers' Comp Insider blog which brought to my attention this disturbing NY Times article about fake asbestos and lead tests conducted in buildings throughout New York City. Saverio F. Todaro recently plead guilty in federal court to various crimes regarding his falsification of reports. Click here to see the US Attorney's special web page on this case.
The demolition and construction industry in New York City has always been rife with corruption. Asbestos and lead clean-ups prior to a building demolition can cost millions of dollars, and a "clean" inspection report can be a major time and money saver for contractors. Unfortunately, such "fake tests" expose both workers and children occupying such buildings to cancer causing toxins like asbestos and lead.
The Bloomberg Administration cannot ignore this problem any longer and must get serious about enforcement. Too many of their own officials in the City Buildings' Department are themselves corrupt. As the Times article details, this may be just the "tip of the iceberg". New Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance should lead the charge to rid the construction industry of as much corruption as possible.
I am not so naive to think that the rough and tumble world of NYC construction will ever smell like roses, but currently it smells like a cesspool. We need you, Mr. Mayor, to step up and take control of this situation before the seeds of cancer are planted in more innocent workers.
