A top city lead and asbestos inspector pleaded guilty today to filing false reports that several NYC buildings were toxic-free without actually conducting any tests. Saverio "Sam" Todaro, owner of SAF Environmental Corp. of Queens, admitted that he copied official documents and forged the signatures of lab employees for at least seven buildings between 2005 and 2008. According to the Post, some of the buildings were tied in to a city-run, affordable housing program.
Todaro, 68, lost his city inspection license in 2004, and appeared in court with an oxygen tank and a walker; in an ironic but sad twist, he suffers from emphysema. Outside the court, Todaro yelled at reporters, "Screw the public. Get the hell out of here. No comment," and later added, "I feel bad. I'm sorry I did it." He faces up to five years in prison.
