FDNY Fire Marshals and Department of Investigations Officials Arrest 35 for Failing to Appear on Outstanding Fire Code Violations

FDNY Fire Marshals and Department of Investigations Officials Arrest 35 for Failing to Appear on Outstanding Fire Code Violations Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta joined Department of Investigation (DOI) Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn on October 10 to announce the arrest of 35 business owners, employees and building owners on warrants for allegedly failing to appear before New York City Criminal Courts on outstanding criminal summonses issued for various fire code violations.

These individuals were arrested during a citywide sweep by FDNY fire marshals and DOI officials that began in July 2007.

“This partnership between DOI and FDNY has made our City safer for those who live and work here,” said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “Business and building owners who think they can ignore fire safety rules had better think twice - because we will hold them accountable under the law.”

Those arrested have been issued a criminal summons by an FDNY fire inspector for various fire code violations and/or failure to comply with the Fire Commissioner’s order to correct fire code violations.

These individuals then allegedly failed to appear before the court to answer the summonses, which are unclassified misdemeanors. An arrest warrant was issued by a judge for failure to appear.

As a result, FDNY fire marshals and DOI officials arrested these individuals on arrest warrants and returned them to the courts to face fire code violations.

Those arrested face fines for allegedly violating the fire code on a range of activities, including dispensing fuel without a FDNY Certificate of Fitness; out-of-order fire alarm/sprinkler systems; operating an auto body/mechanic shop without a FDNY permit; operating an unlicensed cabaret and operating air compressors without a permit.

So far, fines levied against those arrested range between $100 and $3,500, and 12 individuals have been fined a total of $9,850 in connection with fire code violations.

The New York City Law Department is handling the prosecution of these cases in the criminal courts.