Guilty Pleas Announced in Crane Inspection Bribery Case

Two men accused of defrauding the New York City Department of Buildings through bribes and falsifying crane inspection documents pleaded guilty to all charges this week.

Michael Sackaris, of Saint James, N.Y. pleaded guilty to charges of bribery and Michael Pascalli, of Bethpage, N.Y. pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of offering false installment for filing, in connection with the bribing of the DOB’s chief crane inspector, James Delayo.

“Taking bribes in situations where safety is at risk in unacceptable, as is corruption at any level of government,” said District Attorney Vance.

According to court documents, Sackaris, 50, was the owner of Copiague, N.Y. -based Nu-Way Crane Service. He is was charged with bribery in the second degree, a class C felony. Sackaris faces up to 15 years in prison, but will likely be sentenced to between two and four years because of the plea.

On several occasions, Sackaris allegedly paid Delayo to complete and falsify paperwork with the DOB indicating that Nu-Way had passed city inspections when the cranes had only been inspected carelessly or not at all. On six other occasions, Sackaris allegedly paid Delayo to certify that Nu-Way employees seeking crane operator licenses passed their examinations. Sackaris is also accused of paying Delayo to complete and file documents stating that Pascalli, an employee of Nu-Way, had passed a New York State hoisting machine operating license exam when Delayo had never administered the test.

Pascalli, 25, is being charged with offering a false instrument for filing in the second degree, a class E felony. He faces up to 4 years in prison but is expected to receive probation.

The sentencing for Sackaris, Pascalli, and Nu-Way is scheduled for July 13, 2010.