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New Jersey - Arrested Lakewood Inspector Was Topic of Rumors |
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Jeffrey Williamson is led into the federal building in Newark during his arrest on Thursday, July 23. (STAFF PHOTO: MICHAEL SYPNIEWSKI)
Still, it stung.
I've heard rumors over the years but was hoping they were just that and wouldn't come to light," Township Committeeman and former mayor Raymond Coles said.
One rumor that floated past Mayor Robert Singer and others was an FBI investigation looking at Williamson some three years ago that fell short.
Singer, also a state senator whose Republican ticket ran against Williams' in 2007, did not want to raise the suspicions during the campaign for fear of political backlash.
"Every time we think we've got corruption behind us, its head reappears to again shake the people's trust in their government," he said, adding that "compromising the safety of people" by cutting corners on housing inspections was especially "offensive."
Williamson was suspended without pay from his inspection job Thursday, pending the results of the investigation, Singer said.
The 57-year-old father of one was charged with extortion under color of official right. The criminal complaint states that the inspector of 10 years accepted some $17,500 in bribes from April 2007 to July 2009 in return for leniency on his property inspections for a real estate developer, who was actually a cooperating witness facing bank fraud charges.
During one meeting at a Lakewood restaurant in late April 2007, Williamson accepted $500 cash from the developer in the unoccupied women's bathroom, according to the complaint.
A manager of the developer's properties, Charles Amon, also was arrested and charged with introducing the developer to Williamson and assisting in the payoffs.
Amon, also known as Shaul Amon, told the developer that Williamson, whose "famous bribe line" was "why don't we do lunch," routinely accepted payoffs for half of the approximately 15 to 20 inspections he did a day, the complaint said.
"I guess everyone knew, and now it finally happened," Mike McNeil, Lakewood's fair housing officer, said Thursday of the arrest.
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Read Comments (3) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 24, 2009 at 01:06 PM Anonymous Says:
unfortunately the inspection department can become very busy, and you might have to wait weeks for your inspection and then again for re inspection. in the mean time you cant rent your property but you are still paying your mortgage. so from what I hear this guy Williamson would give you faster service, or even come do an inspection when he was of-duty if you "buy him lunch" . Very unethical, but he still did the inspection by the book.
2
Jul 24, 2009 at 04:38 PM pkwy moish Says:
Hmmmm...housing corruption stemmed. How many more years, did we buy because of this, before lakewood becomes the zoo it has startred looking like already. I hope anyone on the take in lkwd goes down with this. Is it so hard for developers to understand that not every 50x50 lot needs a duplex. Why do we think we have the right to turn this township into boro park. But again, recognizing that would mean to actually consider other people and for most "bulldog" real estate moguls (exaggeration) this wouldn't bode well for their reputation and bottom line. Lakewood has turned from a semi decent suburban/shore town to a zoo in less than 10 yrs. Good job bnei teirah!
3
Jul 25, 2009 at 09:31 PM Balanced Says:
“ Hmmmm...housing corruption stemmed. How many more years, did we buy because of this, before lakewood becomes the zoo it has startred looking like already. I hope anyone on the take in lkwd goes down with this. Is it so hard for developers to understand that not every 50x50 lot needs a duplex. Why do we think we have the right to turn this township into boro park. But again, recognizing that would mean to actually consider other people and for most "bulldog" real estate moguls (exaggeration) this wouldn't bode well for their reputation and bottom line. Lakewood has turned from a semi decent suburban/shore town to a zoo in less than 10 yrs. Good job bnei teirah! ”
Calm down Mr. Bitter. True Lakewood changed a lot and not always for the better but this inspector did rentals only. And how could anyone wish on his brothers to "go down with him"??? That's outrageous to even think of no mention saying in public. You might that other people should learn and return to the proper way of doing business and
to create a kiddush hashem.