Electrician accused of endangering hotels
Buildings Commissioner Robert LiMandri alleges Maximum Electrical Contracting Corp. owner Robert Spallino even painted the wooden collars in order to make the items appear to be made from fireproof metal, the New York Post said.
"This contractor was willing to put people's lives in danger in order to save a few dollars, and his actions must not go unpunished," LiMandri told the newspaper.
New York city building code requires a metal fireproof conduit be used to rig electrical wires between the floors of a building. The wooden items found at the five New York hotels, one of which is under construction, have been replaced.
The wooden collars allegedly used by Spallino were flammable and could have caused electrical wires to become frayed and exposed, the Post reported.
While Spallino will not face criminal charges, the contractor has had his license suspended for a year and been hit with a $100,000 fine. Once his license is reinstated, Spallino will face a 2-year probationary period.
Related News

More red ink at Manitoba Hydro as need for new power generation looms
WINNIPEG - Manitoba's NDP administration has declared its intention to formulate a strategy for financing new energy ventures, following a decision to halt the development of additional private-sector wind farms. This plan will accompany efforts to stabilize hydroelectric rates and manage the financial obligations of the province's state-operated energy company.
Finance Minister Adrien Sala, overseeing Manitoba Hydro, shared these insights during a legislative committee meeting on Thursday, emphasizing the government's desire for future energy expansions to remain under public ownership and expressing trust in Manitoba Hydro's governance to realize these goals.
This announcement was concurrent with Manitoba Hydro unveiling increased financial losses…