UPDATED: Feb. 4, 5:11 p.m.: Building contractor the Rinaldi Group had work at its sites halted and its construction license pulled by the Department of Buildings following an investigation stemming from a deadly accident at one of the company’s sites in May.
The city stopped work at Rinaldi’s 17 active build sites, citing dozens of violations and a pattern of disregard for safety.
Rinaldi’s practices “pose a threat that severely affects life, health, safety, property, and the public interest, Buildings Commissioner Rick Chandler told the New York Daily News.
“Bad actors who think that violations and fines are simply the cost of doing business need to think again,” Chandler said.
The investigation into the company followed the death of Christian Ginesi, who fell 24 stories at the company’s Riu Hotel construction site at 301 West 46th Street. The DOB turned up 55 citations in total since 2013.
“This is an extreme action,” an attorney for Rinaldi, Brad Gerstman, told the Daily News. “When all the facts are heard … they’ll recognize that the Rinaldi Group is a company that is very much concerned about safety.”
Another contractor, MRMD NY, had its license permanently revoked in September, with the DOB citing over $600,000 in unpaid fees and penalties. [NYDN] – Ariel Stulberg
Update: The day after its license was suspended, Nov. 14, Rinaldi appealed to the Environmental Control Board to dismiss an outstanding DOB elevator safety violation at 301 West 46th Street. In December, the appeal was granted, the violation was dismissed and a $2,400 fine previously paid by Rinaldi was ordered returned.