Jersey City planning to audit its construction code office

Wednesday, April 25, 2007
By KEN THORBOURNE
JOURNAL STAFF WRITER

As part of an ongoing investigation into the Jersey City Office of Construction Code, the City Council is scheduled to vote tonight to award a contract to an accounting firm to perform a forensic audit on the office. The resolution calls for paying Sax Macy Fromm & Co. of Clifton an amount not to exceed $35,000 to "conduct the annual audit of financial records" from the department.

City Business Administrator Brian O'Reilly explained Monday the in-depth audit was called for by the Jersey City Police Department, which launched an investigation into the office in March.

City officials remained mum about what the investigation has uncovered so far.

In March, Police Chief Tom Comey confirmed his department's Special Investigations Unit was heading the inquiry.

For three days in March, neither the public nor employees were allowed access to the Office of Construction Code, while SIU investigators reviewed records and copied checks and files.

Neither Comey nor Construction Official Ray Meyer returned phone calls yesterday for comment.

Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio said no findings from the investigation have been brought to the attention of his office.

I heard a rumor that the JCPD has recently investigated the Jersey City Building Department, closing them down for a few days to search their records. This is a department encumbered by poor operating procedure, a demoralize staff, some of whom are unqualified. The office is under huge demands of record construciotn in Jersey City. Some suggest that safery issues will arise due to this office's inability to "get it right." A large number of complaints are on file with the Mayors Action Committee. You can also file complaints and concerns with the Stae of New Jersey COMMISSION of INVESTIGATION: Phone Number is (609) 292-6767