DOB deputy uses police training to crack down on building owners

Ever since Eugene Corcoran, a former United States Marshal and 20-year veteran of the New York Police Department, took office in May as the Deputy Commissioner of Enforcement at the Department of Buildings, he’s been using his previous experience to target absentee building owners and unscrupulous contractors. “If there’s an owner or a landlord or a licensed professional who is violating his oath of office… we’ll be looking to hold them accountable,” Corcoran told DNAinfo. Corcoran said he hopes to use more creative approaches to tackle existing problems. In recent years, the DOB has been plagued by corruption and several tragedies linked to fraud, including the Deutsche Bank building fire in 2007 and two deadly crane collapses in 2008. Corcoran is pushing for new tools to help inspectors collect evidence to secure convictions in court, and he is looking to partner with the fire department for co-training and use of their facilities. Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri praised Corcoran, calling him a “tremendous asset to the Department” who “will help us crack down on builders who ignore the law and put New Yorkers at risk.” [DNAinfo]