NYC Crane Inspector Charged in Bribery Scheme
The former inspector was allegedly paid to certify cranes without inspection.
Oct. 7, 2008— -- The former acting chief inspector of cranes in New York City, where there have been two deadly crane accidents this year, has been charged in a bribery scheme that investigators say dates back to 1996.
The former crane inspector James Delayo, along with two other men, and the Nu-Way Crane Service, each face multiple felony charges in connection with the scheme, in which prosecutors say Delayo was paid to sign off on certifications of cranes without conducting the mandatory inspections and to grant crane operator licenses to applicants who lacked the credentials.
Prosecutors say that on approximately 20 occasions, Delayo received cash payments of $200 to $500 from Michael Sackaris of Nu-Way cranes for certifying that Nu-Way cranes had passed inspection when, in fact, the cranes had not been inspected at all. The payments were allegedly in exchange for Delayo's completing and filing of false paperwork with the Department of Buildings (DOB).
Delayo is also accused of accepting cash payments from Sackaris to certify that Nu-Way crane operators had passed their practical exams. Prosecutors say Delayo once certified that an applicant had passed an exam, when he had never administered the exam, and that on at least two other occasions Delayo provided Nu-Way with advance copies of the crane licensing exam.
Delayo's attorney told ABC News that his client has a clean record of performance. "After nearly 30 years in service to New York City, Mr. Delayo has an exemplary record and reputation," said attorney David Oddo. "He looks forward to clearing his name."
A call seeking comment to Nu-Way Cranes was not immediately returned.
New York City Crane Collapse Incidents
There have been two fatal crane collapses in Manhattan this year, but investigators say that there is no evidence to date that Delayo's activity had anything to do with those accidents. Another Buildings Department inspector was arrested earlier this year for falsifying paperwork regarding a site where a crane later collapsed and killed seven people.
After that arrest, Delayo was promoted from Assistant Chief Inspector to acting chief inspector. He is a 26 year veteran of the buildings department where he earned just over $74,000 a year. Delayo is alleged to have signed off on the inspections of the smaller mobile cranes, not the large tower cranes involved in the deadly collapses. Though the smaller cranes can still extend up to 10 stories high.
All three men entered not guilty pleas at an arraignment this afternoon in Manhattan. Delayo faces up to 32 years in prison.