MAFIA FAMILY TAKES OVER
        BUILDING INSPECTIONS
      SELLS GUNS AND DRUGS
New York: It's a story right out of the movies. An investigation into a $200 million a year gambling operation yielded leads on corruption in the Buildings Department. After years of investigating, an astounding 29 people were arrested for taking bribes totaling millions of dollars to falsify building inspections. While the mafia tainted "Inspectors" were taking a paycheck and bribes, they were also dealing drugs and selling illegal guns..... The Elvis Diner was one of the main hangouts for the bad guys in this real-life tale of corruption, official ineptitude and finally, arrest. For generations, the building inspectors, elevator inspectors etc. have been corrupted by the industries they serve and yet, the process of insuring integrity was never been implemented. As the Police discovered and to everyone's "Shock" it was possible for code violations to be overlooked, permit problems to disappear and construction expedited in exchange for under-the-table cash. 29 arrests in such a small circle of "Inspectors" represents a tsunami of criminality.

The City has already issued the standard PR spin, claiming that the sites have been reinspected and found to be safe. Which eerily echoes the same response they issued when 100 skyscrapers, subways, Yankee Stadium and the Freedom Tower were all found to have been built with 66% strength cement. In another mob related case, weak cement was discovered in an investigation that showed that the testing laboratories responsible for insuring "Integrity" had been bought out by organized crime. In the BAD CEMENT LEADS TO ARRESTS story in the top scroller there are more links, background reporting and depth of coverage.

Trying to sum up the recent news that has hit the construction, architecture and building trades is like trying to capture the wind. The broad implications of an industry where corruption is taken for granted suggests that a practical deal has been struck between the developers and the mob run companies. Architects have begun to specify cement at 200% of required strength. The mafia delivers cement at 100% but gets to pocket the cash difference between a high quality product and one of lesser value. The Inspectors charge fees like trolls at the gate to conduct the business of building. The labs and outside agencies responsible for testing the cement are bought out by the mob. The building sites that have been subjected to the effects of corruption are declared safe. And building resumes.

Future expectations for the mafia is that they will continue to corrupt everyone in sight by spreading both money and intimidation on the people who can help them. The architects and developers will continue doing whatever is necessary to build their projects. The Police will continue to pursue common criminals while the big fish swim away. If the past is prologue, tomorrow's headlines will be every bit as "Shocking" as today's news.

Laura Italiano's story in the New York Post is part of the continuing coverage. Reporters brave enough to cover this story and reveal the behind the scenes of NY's underbelly are rare and she deserves a shout-out for her work.


LINK TO LAURA ITALIANO'S REPORT IN NY POST