Inspector Arrested In Fatal Crane Collapse

NYC Inspector Charged With Falsifying Records On Crane That Later Collapsed, Killing 7

(CBS/AP)  A city inspector has been charged with lying about checking on a construction crane that later collapsed, killing seven people in a dense Manhattan neighborhood.

Edward Marquette, 46, was arraigned and released without bail Thursday on charges of falsifying business records and offering a false instrument for filing.

"We will not tolerate this kind of behavior at the Department of Buildings," buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster said at a news conference. "I do not and will not tolerate any misconduct in my department."

Marquette, who earns $52,283 a year as an inspector in the department's division of cranes and derricks, was arrested while being questioned Wednesday night, said Barbara Thompson, spokeswoman for the Manhattan district attorney.

If convicted, Marquette faces up to four years in prison. His lawyer, Kate Moguletscu, had no comment Thursday.

The 20-story crane broke away Saturday from an apartment tower under construction and toppled over, killing six construction workers and a visitor in town for St. Patrick's Day.

A complaint about the crane was logged March 4 to a city hot line, officials said, and Marquette said he inspected it. It was later determined he had not.

Lancaster said it is very unlikely an inspection would have prevented the accident because the equipment that failed was not on site March 4.

In addition to suspending Marquette, Lancaster said, she has ordered a full audit of his inspection reports over the past six months, and also of the cranes and derricks unit.

The crane collapse caused a swath of destruction along a full city block not far the United Nations, pulverizing a four-story brownstone and damaging at least seven other buildings.

The gigantic piece of machinery toppled over when a six-ton steel collar used to secure the crane to the building came loose, plunging into another collar that acted as a major anchor. Without that support, the spindly structure came tumbling down with terrifying force.

The collapse followed weeks of complaints by neighbors that the crane didn't appear safe. Bruce Silberblatt - a retired contractor who called in the complaint that the crane might not be sufficiently braced against the building - said the arrest stunned him.

"My first reaction was astonishment. My second reaction is anger that a person would have the gall to do this," said Silberblatt, vice president of the Turtle Bay Neighborhood Association.

City officials would not discuss Marquette's possible motive.

Investigators first interviewed him Sunday and got a copy of his route sheet. He told them that he had conducted the March 4 inspection and that it revealed no problems with the crane.

Marquette was also listed in city records as having responded to a Jan. 22 complaint by another caller who complained about the safety of workers assembling the crane. Marquette said in his report, filed two days later, that he examined the crane and found no violation.

CBS News correspondent Bianca Solorzano reported that the city had answered at least 38 complaints since the high rise project began. The city had issued 13 violations at the construction site in the past 27 months.

Residents said they weren't surprised by the arrest.

"It makes me very suspicious of the whole situation. I'd like to feel that it's safe to live in this neighborhood with all the construction going on," Sandra Graham said. "If he's been arrested, I think he should be made an example of."

Earlier, city officials said they had started inspecting every construction crane in use around New York City, though authorities have said there's no indication that Saturday's accident points to a larger problem.

The inspections began Wednesday, Buildings Department spokeswoman Kate Lindquist said.

[shanev137]

Wow, what a way to go.

Killed by an uninspected crane that fell on your building.

I hope the victims families get lots of money.

[neobrian-2009]

Nylon Slings Cause Many Accidents
When I started my career as an Iron Worker,we hardly used nylon slings.As time went by they became more commonplace as they have some advantages over steel chokers.But,once they get a cut,they tear quickly and the load is lost.''Softeners'' must be used where sharp edges come into contact with the load.
Industrial construction is very dangerous under the best of conditions.These conditions become much more dangerous when inspections become lax.
Republican administrations are notorious for letting contractors become very lax.The mining industry is another example of ''poor work inspections''.
Working people can not afford to let these work conditions go back in time.Vote Democratic.

[gangesdak]

Just wait. This is New york. This inspector may be a fall guy.

[gangesdak]

I agree. Republicans always talk of less Government control, as if private contractors want to do everything correctly, and Big Bad Government prevents them from making glorious contributions to the society. Just look at all the Bush buddies milking the country as Iraq contractors. Bring back Government control, vote Democrat.

[stn_sage]

I''m utterly and completely shocked! A public official not do his job? I just don''t believe! (sarcasm)

I think an inspector''s political affiliation varies from state to state, I''m sure there''s plenty from both the D and R parties who have screwed up!

It just seems that on this kind of project---particularly dangerous---the inspector''s office would/should have paid particular attention to warning calls by neighbors/assns etcetera!

[antoniof123]

Btw, an an inspector myself, I KNOW for a fact most inspectors are LIBERALS...as many government employees.

So f off....my friend.

Posted by tiddsanbeer at 04:32 PM : Mar 20, 2008

You are a lier, most inspectors are not liberal they are both so go lie some where else because I know for a fact that is not a job condition.

[subscriber2-2009]

I wish writers would not bring political parties into this. Simply put, the inspector did not go out and do his job. Doesnt matter what party he is, what religion or lack of it, or the color of his skin. He just rubber stamped it, and carried on with his day. He dismissed the telephone calls of concern, huge lack of judgement. Can we concentrate on his lack of judgement, and his credentials and if they were the right ones for him to have been placed in this position of trust.

[cbsblogger]

This is typical of government bureacrats and it often occurs because the middle and executive management in the chain of command are political hack, good job Brownie types.

[bobnjersey]

[Btw, an an inspector myself, I KNOW for a fact most inspectors are LIBERALS...as many government employees.]
[Posted by tiddsanbeer at 04:32 PM : Mar 20, 2008]

so which happened first ... he was liberal and became an inspector, he was an inspector and became liberal, or his predispositions make him likely to be a liberal and good at inspecting?

what sample size are you using to make these assessments?

[neobrian-2009]

Anybody works in Industrial construction,..
Knows politics has Everything to do with ''Working conditions'',..
It`s a Simple fact of Life!

[sumarongi]

Enough lib vs. con comparisons. This boils down to failure on so many different levels. The inspector is accused of negligence and falsification. There are also many levels of inspection from federal, state, county and city offices that also failed. In addition the company is supposed to have their own safety department. The workers who used the equipment also have some responsibility. If the complaints are as numerous and specific as they are portrayed to be many people failed in their duties.
This is a breakdown of moral responsibility. It doesn''t matter what affiliations the guilty have. It''s a sign of unacceptable behavior that is all to prevalent in our society as a whole. We have promulgated an atmosphere that promotes the peter principle. People are promoted just because they have seniority or contacts, not because of their skill level. The same attitude that awards contracts to the lowest bidder in preference to who has the better product or does the work better. Our whole system is predicated on a false premise. Our mistakes are coming home to roost.

[taylpatr]

Now they need to go after the pig contractor who paid this guy the money to falseify the reports. He or they are accessories and are just as guilty the inspector.

[culturechang]

Was he soliicting an escort service?

[taylpatr]

Another thing I''d like to see is a little more detail on how a six ton collar "came loose." Six tons of iron don''t just "come loose." The first account quoted one of the company pigs saying "it was a freak accident. If the steel would have fell a little bit to the left or right it wouldn''t have happened." Well, a six ton piece of iron has NO LITTLE BIT MY FRIEND! If the iron was being handled by competent, trained American Union Ironworkers instead of starving illeagals, the chances are that it would never have happened. I''ve erected and taken down several tower cranes without any problems. You get what you pay for in this line of work and as long as contractors dump Americans to hire illeagals these things will happen and you deserve it. I''ll sign this "From a pis*ed off American Ironworker."

[enriquecaliente]

"If convicted, Marquette faces up to four years in prison." ***.!!!!!!!!!

7 people died, and all he can get is 4 yrs.????
I also think that his supervisor and their manager should also go to jail. Where was the due diligence.?

The commissioner of buildings and construction should be fired and fined.

[neobrian-2009]

taylpatr ,...
I did not know this was a Rat Job,But I figured it was.
Thanks for the clarification. As a Brother Iron Worker,we know All about these incidents.
Most of these people have NO idea the risks we take to build their bridges,buildings and the many projects of our country.

[lizardbate]

I''d say the ole boy received a few " bucks " under the table to falsify the the inspection??????? Looks like the mob got to him and put him on their payroll????????????

[lizardbate]

Maybe Bush caused this???????????

[ringading3]

Want to bet this guy was in the UNION? Probably could not be fired a long time ago because he was protected by the UNION boses and the Politicians on the take.

[ringading3]

Thanks to the UNIONs who have killed the auto industry in Michigan, the public school students all over the country, and the city workers who have failed their students and the public.

[nathan8804-2009]

What do you expect for $52,283 in NYC. That is like minimum wage in the big apple.

[newsterl]

" A giant crane toppled over at a construction site"

I KNEW this article was written by a woman, only a woman would use a stupid descriptor about a 200 foot high crane like "toppled over"

"Marquette, who earns $52,283 a year as an inspector..."

Nope, "earns" is the wrong word to use in HIS case, in his case he sat on his lazy fat azz, falsified documents and probably because of him 7 people are now dead

[neobrian-2009]

WRONG a DONG MORON! IT WAS a SCAB JOB!!
You are Such an IDIOT!
Impersonating a human being is Not one of Your strengths ! MORON! MORON!
Every Time You post,You Show How STUPID You Are,.Go Back into HOLE!

[blackyowe]

"Fell down go boom" is better than toppled for you men is it?

[medcormedic]

What about the construction company? They know exactly how to secure cranes and tried to cut corners for reasons unknown. Usually cost! Dont they share part of the resposibility? You know the complaint probably came in from a worker on the site. Seeing all the illegal and unsafe things going on and he didnt want to lose his job by complaining. So he dropped a dime. Too bad the inspector dropped the ball. Its all chalked up to lazy,incompetant people. They should shut the construction site down as well and site the operations director...i am a medic on large construction sites and they try and get away with everything. Safety guys are onsite at all times and they just look past things daily. Seen and still do everyday i clock in to work.

[missingamerica]

Want to bet this guy was in the UNION? Probably could not be fired a long time ago because he was protected by the UNION boses and the Politicians on the take.

Posted by RingADing3 at 09:18 PM : Mar 20, 2008

What an asinine comment.

Union or not, the guy had a boss - and if that boss couldn''t be bothered to ensure that his or her people do the work, that is where the buck stops.

Now that attitude you can blame on this cult of right-wing "It wasn''t my fault and I deserve my golden parachute."-types who are running this country with their morality of "Anything is acceptable, as long as somebody is making a buck off of doing - or not doing - it.".

[brianbwb-2009]

"Next thing you''''ll be blaming the NO officials for not providing a match for the welfare taker''''s cigarette while they picket" Posted by sbbm

You over simplify the post, it is the climate advocated by the conservative movement, of less regulation, and relaxed standards, which results in increased risk to life for the sake of profit that has resulted in this lack of quality control.

"rharrin1" was looking at the big picture of how this malfeasance came to be tolerated, as incidents from "the big dig" in Boston, to the major cracks in the highway of a southern state a few days ago, and numerous other incidents illustrate.

[b-easy63]

I was an auditor and investigator for years. The truth is, many inspectors do not do their jobs. We had FDA inspectors on the take (later charged in bribery crimes) we''ve had inspectors who came in our offices, shot the breeze and took our word for what was or was not happening, never opening a record. Ones who sat around drinking coffee and eating the donuts we offered them (they are not supposed to) many inspectors become palsy walsy with the places they inspect--hoping for lucrative job offers when their time in public service is up. (they often get them with prior and influential FDA inspectors netting easily, 6 to 7 figures). To my knowledge, they can be Republican or Democrat. I''ve seen both types as lax, or falsifying reports or accepting the company''s word for something (that should NEVER be done).

so as much as many of you want to see corruption or fake records and reports as a Republican problem--dig a little deeper. The Generic Drug Scandals heavily involving corruption of inspectors was tried between 1989 and 1994, no where near the amt of inspectors on the take or faking stuff were caught and most investigations were during a Dem. gov. Now ask yourself in the hundreds of thousands of deaths involving meds per year--how many can be laid at those doors. Remember that unity thing? Stop the bash of one party or another-like most sins, corruption is NOT partisan.

[b-easy63]

Enough lib vs. con comparisons. This boils down to failure on so many different levels. The inspector is accused of negligence and falsification. There are also many levels of inspection from federal, state, county and city offices that also failed. In addition the company is supposed to have their own safety department. The workers who used the equipment also have some responsibility. If the complaints are as numerous and specific as they are portrayed to be many people failed in their duties.
This is a breakdown of moral responsibility. It doesn''''t matter what affiliations the guilty have. It''''s a sign of unacceptable behavior that is all to prevalent in our society as a whole. We have promulgated an atmosphere that promotes the peter principle. People are promoted just because they have seniority or contacts, not because of their skill level. The same attitude that awards contracts to the lowest bidder in preference to who has the better product or does the work better. Our whole system is predicated on a false premise. Our mistakes are coming home to roost.

Posted by Sumarongi at 06:33 PM : Mar 20, 2008


Excellent post

[creeper00]

"Republicans always talk of less Government control, as if private contractors want to do everything correctly, and Big Bad Government prevents them from making glorious contributions to the society."

Posted by gangesdak at 04:33 PM : Mar 20, 2008

For an example of government contractors'' work ethic see the story this morning about the contractors in the State Department fired for snooping into Barack Obama''s passport records.

[b-easy63]

Now they need to go after the pig contractor who paid this guy the money to falseify the reports. He or they are accessories and are just as guilty the inspector.

Posted by taylpatr at 07:30 PM : Mar 20, 2008


He might have been on the take. Then again, he might have just been a lazy person who discovered he could "pretend to inspect" and never go to any of his sites, and could instead play on his X box or go eat some doughnuts. The fact is, many inspectors who do not do their jobs are not bribed, they are just lazy and figure--nothing happens much anyway--so they fake the records. The real question is, where is the QA tests to make sure inspectors are really doing their jobs and not faking reports? (Every business should have them)

[creeper00]

Sumarongi hit the nail on the head. It bears repeating:

"This boils down to failure on so many different levels."

[djberson]

"Earlier, city officials said they had started inspecting every construction crane in use around New York City, though authorities have said there''s no indication that Saturday''s accident points to a larger problem. "

This is why we should be worried. It would have been much more reassuring if they had simply used the words "If there is a larger problem, we will do everything we can to find out and remedy it."

[neobrian-2009]

Anybody works in Industrial construction,..
Knows politics has Everything to do with ''''Working conditions'''',..
It`s a Simple fact of Life!
Very True Indeed!
Because people stick their head in the sand and make excuses does not change one thing.The fact IS Democrats are for the Workers and republicans are for the companies. PERIOD.

[neobrian-2009]

How many people here Are In the Construction Industry?
Are you " Keyboard Crane Operators" ?
Or Maybe " Word Erectors " ?
Or maybe you are just interested in seeing that things like this don`t happen in the future.If you truly care,
check into your local candidates.Look at their voting records,see how how stand on important issues,such as job safety and construction regulations.

[nlm2383]

Every higher up involved in this, including the lazy inspector, should be charged with 7 counts of murder. That''s exactly what happened since they were too lazy and comfortable spending their money to worry about what might happen to innocent people...

[jairsman]

I''ve read some of the comments and agree that responsibility belongs to numerous level/parties(not political).Seeing as how the many complaints were never satisfactorily dealt with, how about the person at the top? The one who stated she would not tolerate the sort of thing that happened?

[b-easy63]

.The fact IS Democrats are for the Workers and republicans are for the companies. PERIOD.

Posted by neobrian at 11:00 AM : Mar 21, 2008


Which is why a Democratic President and a Dem. Candidate supported NAFTA--the greatest boon to companies (and NOT American workers) ever. Both parties are for companies, all you have to do to know that is follow the money. Ask Hillary what is on those tax returns and why she would not vote no to retro immunity sought by telecom companies for helping Bush to illegally wire tap.

Frankly, I believe she is also in cahoots with insurance providers and will no doubt kick a lot of business their way, if/when she can hold America hostage to her version of UHC.

Face it, many in Congress are corrupt and support those who line their pockets. Where do you think the bounce in Clinton finances came from after they said they were almost bankrupt? A money tree? LOL

Both parties will keep playing Americans as long as voters spout the rhetoric, believe the hype and refuse to just look at the real picture.