The issue of zoning fraud, heightened by the Buildings Department’s broken self-certification program, was highlighted today in an opinion piece published today in Gotham Gazette, by Diana Florence, the former head of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Construction Fraud Task Force.
The two examples cited? FRIENDS’ two recent challenges at 1059 Third Avenue and 249 East 62nd Street, where fraudulent behavior, such as the filing of two sets plans with different city agencies for the same building, has led to hugely out-of-scale buildings in our neighborhood.
These issues have momentum, and people are taking notice citywide.
“…An honor system only works when there are true consequences for violating it… We need a strong city with good housing, schools, hospitals, and public spaces — not just shaky glass towers filled with pied-à-terres. Developers have long competed in a race to the top by shirking necessary regulations. It’s time for prosecutors to finally pay attention to the fraud building up in front of their faces and that is killing the economic prosperity of our residents and the city. Without consistent criminal enforcement fraud will continue to be a risk worth taking.”
- Diana Florence
To read the full article, “Prosecutors Need To Go After Developer Zoning Fraud,” click HERE.
1059 Third Avenue
249 East 62nd Street