Contact: Colleen Roche/Jennifer Chait (212) 788-2958
Paula Young (212) 788-3916 (DOS)
Joining the Mayor at today's ceremony was Acting Sanitation Commissioner Michael Carpinello.
"I want to congratulate Sal Torre and Paul Fiumano, two Department of Sanitation employees whose conduct and integrity speak not only to their goodness as people, but also stand as perfect examples of the quality of our City's workers," said Mayor Giuliani. "While on their regular collection route, they came across an unusual situation when they found several thousand dollars in a discarded sofa. Their actions led to the money being returned to its rightful owner and confirm what we know to be true of New York City workers -- they are highly principled, caring and hard-working individuals. I congratulate them and their families on behalf of all New Yorkers."
Sanitation Commissioner Carpinello said, "These two Sanitation employees have made us proud - it is not every day that one is given the opportunity to do such a good deed - and especially at this time of year when the gift of generosity is so important, these gentlemen displayed the true meaning of the Holiday spirit."
Sanitation workers Sal Torre and Paul Fiumano while on regular collection duty last Friday morning hoisted a convertible sofa into the back of their collection truck. As they started to crush the sofa in the hopper, over $4,700 wrapped in small packages of paper towels, bound by rubber bands, and wrapped again in aluminum foil began to fall from one of the arms of the sofa. As per regulations, they immediately contacted their Department of Sanitation garage supervisor, who dispatched a field supervisor to the location at 77th Street in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, who then notified the Police Department's 68th precinct.
Once at the scene, the Police Department determined that the money had been hidden in the sofa by the late wife of Mr. George Stamatis of 1149-77th Street. Mr. Stamatis' daughter, Voula Theoharis, told police that she was cleaning the house after the death of her mother, and decided to throw out the old sofa, never thinking there was anything of value hidden inside it.
A resident of Brooklyn, Mr. Torre began working at the Department in August, 1986 and currently works at Brooklyn South 10. Mr. Fiumano, a ten-year veteran, lives on Staten Island and currently works at Brooklyn South 12.