License Suspension and $100,000 Fine for Electrician
The Department has suspended the license of Master Electrician Robert Spallino and fined him $100,000 after determining he installed cheap, illegal wooden parts inside the electrical systems of five high-rise hotels in midtown Manhattan.
Upon a routine inspection, DOB's Electrical Unit first discovered Spallino and his employees used the pieces of carved wood at 37 West 24th Street, creating a serious fire safety hazard at the 21-story building. The wooden chocks were
used to support electrical cables instead of the metal, insulated collars required by the Electrical Code.
After further investigation, Electrical Inspectors found similar work at four nearby hotel construction sites.
Inspectors stopped work immediately at each location and required the property owners to install the metal collars and hire a licensed engineer to test the integrity of the cables. All of the work has since been corrected.
"New Yorkers depend on the construction industry to perform safe work that is in accordance with the law,' said Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri. "It is disturbing to learn of a licensed professional who disregarded the safety of the public for a profit."
As a result of the inspections, Department attorneys filed administrative charges against Spallino, which led to a one-year license suspension and the $100,000 fine.
For the next eight months, Spallino will be on a probationary period to complete any active projects and correct any open violations before his license suspension takes effect. All of his work will be closely monitored by the Department.
Following the year-long suspension, he will enter a two-year probationary period during which all of his work will be subject to Department review.
"I would like to commend our inspectorial and legal units for preventing a potential catastrophe from occurring," said Commissioner LiMandri. "This sends a strong message to the industry that this type of shoddy work will not be tolerated."
The actions taken against Spallino were led by the Department's Special Enforcement Team, a unit of attorneys, plan examiners, inspectors and support staff that identifies professionals, building owners and contractors who blatantly disregard the law. Created in 2007, the unit researches offenders' networks and patterns, builds cases for prosecution and refers licensed and registered professionals to the State for discipline.