NYC DOB inspector allegedly took bribes for closing 311 complaints: Queens DA
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) – A New York City building inspector is accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes in exchange for overlooking code violations, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced Thursday.
Zabihullah Ibrahimi, 42, of College Point, allegedly took multiple bribes in exchange for closing 311 complaints against private property owners, officials said. Ibrahimi’s job was to respond to 311 complaints and inspect homes to verify that the alleged complaint existed and issue violations if necessary.
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“The Department of Buildings is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, both in the construction industry and within our own ranks,” DOB Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said. “This employee has already been placed on leave without pay, and in the interest of public safety we have already conducted a thorough audit of his previous work.”
An investigation revealed that he took bribes instead of enforcing code violations in at least three instances dating back to January 2023, according to the district attorney’s office.
In one inspection, Ibrahimi allegedly asked for $3,500. When the property owner said they did not have the cash, he directed the homeowner to go to the bank while he waited outside the home, according to court documents.
In another inspection, Ibrahimi allegedly told a homeowner that they had a $3,000 violation but that he did not want to write a violation. The property owner asked if he wanted money, and Ibrahimi allegedly asked for $500. However, they only had $300, and they gave it to him in exchange for not writing a violation, according to court documents. Records show the complaint was closed, and no violation was issued.
It remains unclear how the Department of Building got wind of Ibrahimi’s alleged bribes, but the DOB commissioner said when the agency became aware of the alleged behavior, they notified law enforcement.
Ibrahimi faces three counts of receiving a bribe in the third degree and three counts of official misconduct. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.
Matthew Euzarraga is a multimedia journalist from El Paso, Texas. He has covered local news and LGBTQIA topics in the New York City Metro area since 2021. He joined the PIX11 Digital team in 2023. You can see more of his work here.
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