Dive Brief:
- The New York Department of Investigation (DOI) has issued a report accusing private contractor/inspector Maqsood Faruqi of falsifying a 2011 inspection report on a building's facade, which partially fell in May and killed 2-year-old Greta Greene, WNBC-TV reported. The DOI alleges that Farqui never inspected the building and wasn't hired until after the date of the supposed inspection.
- The DOI report also determined the Department of Buildings ignored an October 2014 warning from a private consultant of a "scary" crack in the facade while he was inspecting a building next door, WNBC-TV reported. The consultant warned the DOB it should take immediate action, but, although the DOB acknowledges receipt of the warning, it did nothing. On another occasion, an architect reportedly asked to inspect the building, but the DOI says it appears no one at DOB opened the email.
- During its investigation, WNBC-TV reported, the DOI found more than 1,000 other buildings across the city overdue for investigation and almost 1,500 structures identified as unsafe but left unrepaired.
Dive Insight:
The DOI's recommendations, WNBC-TV reported, are that the DOB make changes, including creating a database that tracks the histories of buildings required to file facade inspection reports, with an alert system to identify for structures that do not comply with city code.
"This investigation has uncovered ways the city can more rapidly remedy the most dangerous situations, improve practices and, hopefully, prevent similar tragedies," Mayor Bill de Blasio said. "The city will ensure that property owners meet their obligation to keep their buildings safe.”