Senator Klein's law firm (Photo: Google)
In 2005, State Senator Jeff Klein’s law office, Klein Calderoni & Santucci LLP, was issued a violation from the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) for operating a commercial business in a residential zone and ordered to discontinue its commercial use. However, the law firm still remains active at its current location.
“More than six years ago, The New York City Department of Buildings issued a violation that was contested by the law firm. After a hearing on the matter, an administrative law judge imposed a $480 fine, which was paid promptly,” Fred Santucci, a managing partner at the firm, said in a statement after Politicker reached out to Senator Klein. “The matter was believed to be closed and — in the ensuring years — there has been no communication to the contrary from the building department.”
Mr. Santucci’s statement is correct that the judge only imposed a $480 fine while making no mention of an order to discontinue commercial use, but a spokeswoman for the city’s Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings said the ruling only has the ability to issue fines, and other agencies can issue additional requirements.
A DOB spokesman confirmed that the order remained for the law firm to discontinue its illegal commercial use. “The Department issued the violation, and it’s the responsibility of the owner to comply,” he added.
The violation additionally remains listed as “open” on the DOB website and states that no compliance has been recorded. Discussions with people familiar with such violations indicated that there is often very little enforcement capacity after such rulings are issued.
Senator Klein’s spokesman declined to comment outside of referring Politicker to Mr. Santucci.
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Wonder who placed this oppo hit on Klein, certainly not Skelos
Feel free to speculate! I think the facts remain though and I good chunk of time researching this.
spent a good chunk of time*
spent a good chunk of time*
Not saying its not legit, but wonder who gave the tip
Not saying its not legit, but wonder who gave the tip
Feel free to speculate! I think the facts remain though and I good chunk of time researching this.
Wonder who placed this oppo hit on Klein, certainly not Skelos
There are thousands of outstanding, unpaid DOB violations, including sites under long-time (even a decade or more) Stop Work Orders, out there–while Bloomberg chases various other scofflaws, he has been ignoring hundreds of millions (maybe toward a billion) of $$ in DOB/ECB fines. A $480 fine…good grief look at DOB violators who have solid six figures in unpaid fines.
Hah, well, the fine here has been paid.