Published July 23, 2008 07:03 pm - City Council is investigating the housing department amid charges of document falsification by city housing inspectors.
City Council investigating the housing department Inspectors suspected of falsifying documents
By SHELLEY TERRY - Staff Writer - sterry@starbeacon.com Star Beacon
ASHTABULA — City Council is investigating the housing department amid charges of document falsification by city housing inspectors.
Inspectors James J. Priore and Vincent J. Iarocci said their names were placed on inspections they did not perform. The inspections reportedly were performed by temporary employees or other members of the department, according to copies of memos Prior and Iarocci sent to city officials late last week. The men said these actions have occurred throughout the past few months, according to the memos.
“It is my belief that any inspection performed should be the responsibility of the person performing the inspection,” Priore said in his memo. “I feel that it would be wrong and unethical to place my name on any documents wherein I have not personally conducted the actual inspection myself.”
Iarocci’s memo echoes the same sentiment.
“I will not be issuing any court citations on any inspections wherein I have not performed the actual physical inspection,” Iarocci said. “I feel it would be wrong and unethical … .”
Iarocci also said he wants to restore integrity to the department.
In response to the memos, City Council met in executive session Monday night, before the regular meeting, to conduct an investigation of the affairs of the Department of Housing and Community Development and its director, Jason Strong. Council made no public comment after the meeting.
The Star Beacon learned Ward 3 Councilwoman Ericka Severino made the motion to conduct the investigation, given the inspectors’ allegations and the recent resignation of the housing department’s grant writer, Amy Scruggs. The motion passed 4-2.
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