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Press Release

Former New York City Buildings Inspector Sentenced to 18 Months’ Imprisonment for Extortion Conspiracy

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of New York
Defendant Steered Business to His Partner in a Construction Company

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, former New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Inspector Massimo Dabusco was sentenced by United States Chief District Court Judge Dora L. Irizarry to 18 months’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit extortion, to be followed by a term of three years’ supervised release.  The Court also imposed a $4,000 fine. Dabusco, also known as “Max,” pleaded guilty to the charge on May 22, 2017.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), and Mark G. Peters, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), announced the sentence.

“By engaging in extortionate conduct for personal financial gain, Dabusco violated the mission entrusted to him to enforce the New York City building and construction codes honestly and fairly,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “This Office and our law enforcement partners will remain vigilant in rooting out corruption and prosecuting those, like Dabusco, who abuse their position of public trust.”

According to court filings, between December 2013 and June 2015, while serving as an inspector for the DOB, Dabusco was also a silent partner in a construction company, A&G Contracting Group Corp., in violation of New York City law.  Dabusco used his official position to influence property owners and contractors, over whom he had regulatory authority, to hire A&G, which was operated by his co-defendant Vito Menadi, to perform excavation and demolition jobs.  In exchange for his actions, Dabusco shared in A&G’s profits.  Dabusco also illegally warned other contractors about impending inspections by DOB and threatened economic harm against property owners and contractors if they did not pay outstanding fines owed by A&G.  Dabusco resigned from DOB in August 2015.  

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Martin E. Coffey is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

MASSIMO DABUSCO
Age: 55
Residence: Yorktown Heights, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 16-CR-559 (DLI)

Contact

John Marzulli
Tyler Daniels
United States Attorney’s Office
(718) 254-6323

Updated January 31, 2018

Topic
Public Corruption