Contractor Charged With Larceny in WTC Scheme
D.A. alleges there are fake invoices for $1.2 million in materials
Updated 2:54 PM EST, Tue, Jan 6, 2009
Manhattan prosecutors say a construction official overbilled the government more than $1 million for work on a condemned skyscraper across from ground zero.
Robert Chiarappa faces grand larceny charges related to his work for John Galt Corp. on the former Deutsche Bank tower.
The district attorney says Chiarappa signed off on fake invoices for $1.2 million in materials that were never delivered, and took kickbacks including clothes, cars, trips and cash.
A state rebuilding agency owns the tower and is paying to remove toxic debris and take it down.
The Deutsche Bank Building was heavily damaged in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks after being rocked by the debris, ash, dust and smoke that spread from the collapsed twin towers. The building has been in ruins ever since. World Trade Center Tower 5 will replace the building.
Galt was fired from the bank tower job after a 2007 fire at the skyscraper that killed two New York City firefighters. The company and three other officials were indicted last month on manslaughter charges related to the fire.
Chiarappa will be arraigned Tuesday. His attorney's name was not yet on record.
First Published: Jan 6, 2009 2:50 PM EST
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