Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lying Asbestos and Lead Inspector: "Screw the Public!"
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 26, 2010
Modified Mar 26, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Mar 26, 2010
Modified Mar 26, 2010
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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.
Tagged
asbestos
court
guilty
lead
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani must redo his pied-à-terre tax rollout, NY judge orders
A Staten Island judge ruled against the city in a lawsuit challenging the rollout of the new tax, a day after a billionaire casino mogul sued to invalidate it.
By
David Brand
Published Sep 29, 2026 at 4:11 p.m. ET
Modified Sep 29, 2026 at 5:07 p.m. ET
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
The sanitation department seeks to increase the fines for landlords who neglect their abandoned lots from $100 to $250.
By
Liam Quigley
News
NYC eyes higher fines for owners of dirty vacant lots, abandoned construction sites
The sanitation department seeks to increase the fines for landlords who neglect their abandoned lots from $100 to $250.
By
Liam Quigley
NJ Gov. Sherrill vetoes 2 bills meant to give strapped Jersey City more revenue tools
By
Michael Sol Warren
Brooklyn residents displaced after facade falls off neighboring building amid nor'easter
By
Catalina Gonella
Mamdani opts not to define antisemitism in report to combat Jewish hate crimes
By
Elizabeth Kim
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .