Scofflaw Contractors and Developers Thumb Nose at DOB
As enforcement of building rules has stepped up in recent years, the city has issued hundreds of millions of dollars in fines to developers and contractors; unfortunately, most of it has gone uncollected. Just last year, the Department of Buildings handed out penalties totaling $132.4 million but only received $29 million of it; unpaid fines…
As enforcement of building rules has stepped up in recent years, the city has issued hundreds of millions of dollars in fines to developers and contractors; unfortunately, most of it has gone uncollected. Just last year, the Department of Buildings handed out penalties totaling $132.4 million but only received $29 million of it; unpaid fines going back to the year 2000 now total $263 million. What’s more, many of the biggest culprits continue to do business with impunity. The Environmental Control Board is responsible for collecting DOB-related fines but can’t do anything more than send out letters. “We don’t have a sheriff, we don’t have a law department,” said ECB spokesperson Amy Slifka. “All we do is adjudicate.” One particular scofflaw is Marie Grasso, who runs the demolition company MMG (oft-cited in these online pages). The wrecking company owes more than $1.4 million in fines for repeated safety violations but still continues to be able to get permits from the DOB. She received 144 permits in the past year while managing to rack up 92 documented violations. As Assemblyman James Brennan of Brooklyn put it, Grasso “should not be permitted to do business in the city.” Seriously.
Deadbeat Contractors, Developers Owe City Millions [NY Daily News]
MMG Owner on DOB’s Worst Offender List [NY Daily News]
Photo by Oates for The Daily News
She simply doesn’t give a shit.
Maybe it’s time the busybodies of NYC come to realize that laws require the consent of the governed.
There isn’t a single citizen of New York City alive today who could possibly read every law to which their life is subject. Is it not time phariseeism ends?
To those who want “more teeth” (In other words – pass more laws and spend more taxpayer funded dollars to enforce them.)
This plays right into the hands of those who are the most well equipped (financially or otherwise – IE. well connected) to “work the system”.
No matter how many laws are passed or how much money is spent to enforce them – nothings will change as long as those with the responsibility to enforce them are:
1 – Not qualified (or incompetent) to match wits with the assortment of lawyers and other professionals that are hired by the real criminals, to find ways to “work the system”.
and
2 – Told by their superiors (who are told by there well connected – or financed – friends) how to interpret and enforce the laws.
A few years back “more teeth” were given to DOB
More money was spent. More people were hired. More OT was handed out.
The results – Not much has changed.
Just look at this quote from the article:
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City sends in the big guns
In May 2008, the Buildings Department sicced its Special Enforcement Team on Grasso. The unit was formed in 2007 to “disrupt the business models of those who intentionally or carelessly put the public and workers at risk,” the department says.
Some disruption. The team issued Grasso just one $12,000 violation for unsafe work at a tear-down on Staten Island. She then went on to wreak havoc at 11 more building sites, including one on Manhattan Ave. in Morningside Heights where her penalties total a whopping $113,000.
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In fact one of the points that was not made in the article (and I challenge Mr. Kates – or anyone- to look into this) is that the amount of money spent on enforcement and collections is disproportionate to the actual intent of the law and it’s biggest (and most serious) offenders.
In other words:
More time and money is spent (proportionally) going after and penalizing those less likely to purposefully (and more catastrophically), violate the laws than those who the laws were intended to curtail.
No, we don’t need any “more teeth” (laws and wasted money).
That’s like saying:
The building (Dept.) is on fire so lets throw some more money into it.
NOT.
We need those that are paid (Handsomely) by our tax dollars to enforce the laws, that are already on the books. To stop wasting our time and money and start to enforce the laws in their true intent.
They have the “Teethâ€.
They need to use them on the right piece of meat. Not the little fish.
Be careful what you ask (wish) for.
If we do as they want (give them “more teethâ€), the only people who will suffer are those who have been suffering.
She nearly tore down my building when doing demo next door. She also ripped off siding, tore out all our phone and cable lines, and used a backhoe illegally. Everyone in my building called 311 almost daily and though she got a couple stop work orders—some of which they just tore off the fence and threw out—nothing happened to her. Not even a fine.
So she must’ve REALLY screwed up to rack up that many fines. Unbelievable she’s still getting city contracts.
A GENUINE horror show.
“Buildings Commissioner that they can’t withhold permits based on past misdeeds”
Yes, but they CAN bring OATH trials against miscreants and ban them from doing biz in NYC. So far two construction firms and one engineering firm have been given the boot, I believe.
i’m also very confused by the statement from the Buildings Commissioner that they can’t withhold permits based on past misdeeds. setting aside major developers and demolition companies, i thought that was the only way they get individuals to comply with things like landmarks and other building code requirements.
A contractor’s license is a joke. Any idiot can get one and, at least under normal circumstances, it can never be suspended or revoked, such as a driver’s or real estate broker’s, for instance.
The law must be changed.
I have seen Grasso’s work in my neighborhood and all over Brooklyn. It is a horror story. But she isn’t the only bad apple.
A contractor’s license is a joke. Any idiot can get one and, at least under normal circumstances, it can never be suspended or revoked, such as a driver’s or real estate broker’s, for instance.
The law must be changed.
I have seen Grasso’s work in my neighborhood and all over Brooklyn. It is a horror story. But she isn’t the only bad apple.