Judge revokes LIC collapsed crane operator’s license

The January accident at a TF Cornerstone site injured seven

A collapsed crane at a TF Cornerstone site in Long Island City (Image courtesy Larry Dusseau)
A collapsed crane at a TF Cornerstone site in Long Island City (Image courtesy Larry Dusseau)

The Buildings Department has revoked crane operator Paul Greer’s license following the collapse of a crane at TF Cornerstone’s luxury rental development in Long Island City, which injured seven workers in January.

“The Buildings Department has zero tolerance for individuals that demonstrate negligence and disregard for the law on any construction site,” Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri said in a statement. “In coordination with the Department of Investigation, we moved swiftly to suspend, and now revoke, Mr. Geer’s license and prohibit him from operating cranes in New York City. Mr. Geer’s actions put lives at risk and lead to the serious injury of seven construction workers. The Department is justified in revoking this license.”

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Agreeing with Department of Investigation Commissioner Rose Gill Hearn’s report and recommendation, Administrative Law Judge Tynia Richard found that Geer violated several local and federal laws, as well as failing to adhere to professional standards.

Cross Country Construction, a concrete subcontractor who employed Paul Geer at the time of the collapse, was also slapped with five violations in January, facing fines of at least $64,000. –Christopher Cameron