As expected, the former chief crane inspector in NYC pleaded guilty late yesterday to charges of bribery. Former Dept. of Buildings official James Delayo agreed to a 2-6 years plea deal, admitting to selling crane licenses and tests, and pocketing over $10,000 in bribes in the process. Prosecutors explained that among several petty bribes, Delayo dealt largely with Long Island-based crane company, Nu-Way Crane Service, who paid him $3,000 to provide advance copies of the DOB's crane-licensing exam. But Delayo's lawyers insist he never put anyone in danger, and had nothing to do with the two major crane collapses in 2008 which resulted in nine deaths. Crane operator Michael Pascalli and Nu-Way Crane Service head Michael Sackaris are also charged with bribery in the case. more ›

Today in court a former top crane inspector, arrested when crane collapses killed nine in 2008, is expected to plead guilty to accepting bribes. Collecting $10,000 over eight years, James Delayo didn't just doctor inspections, he's accused of skipping them altogether. However, the Daily News reports that charges against him involve "smaller mobile cranes," not the towering machines that fell two years ago on the Upper East Side and in Midtown. more ›

As the Department of Buildings, Manhattan DA's office, and OSHA investigate the fatal May 30 crane collapse at East 91st Street and First Avenue, the crane's history continues to be a focus. more ›

Yesterday, the assistant chief inspector for cranes was arrested and charged with accepting bribes "to falsify inspection reports and overlook unqualified operators." Upon leaving court, James Delayo, 60, who is a 26-year veteran of the Department of Buildings, did not respond to when a street sweeper asked him "if he felt responsible" for the fatal crane collapses in recent months. more ›

The Department of Buildings' acting Chief Inspector for Cranes and Derricks was arrested today. James Delayo was accused of taking thousands of dollars in bribes from a crane company and falsifying reports. WNBC reports, "The city's Department of Investigation also says Delayo tampered with licensing exams by providing the answers for crane operator exams to a crane company for a fee." more ›