Perjury Charge Leads to Review of New York Construction Sites

Officials in New York City are reviewing more than two dozen construction projects approved by a structural engineer accused of lying about inspecting a Bronx building that later collapsed and killed two firefighters.

Engineer Jose Vargas pleaded not guilty to perjury earlier this month. Now the Buildings Department is reviewing 29 projects he sanctioned after the August 2006 collapse. They include apartment buildings in the Bronx, Manhattan and Queens.

Vargas’ lawyer, Armando Montano, says his 82-year-old client is being scapegoated for larger troubles with city inspection practices.

A city report found Vargas never completed a final inspection of renovations to the discount store that crumbled and killed Lt. Howard J. Carpluk Jr. and firefighter Michael C. Reilly.

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Information from: The New York Times