The New York Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman recently announced a 50-count indictment charging Matthew Pappalardo (not a NYS licensed engineer) and his former employer, HiRise Engineering, P.C. with allegedly altering engineering reports prepared in connection with the assessment of structural damage of residential properties resulting from Superstorm Sandy.

NYSSPE commends Attorney General Schneiderman on his action and hopes this is the beginning of more aggressive action against engineering malpractice which NYSSPE believes is happening throughout the State.  In this specific case, there were several NYSSPE members whose reports were altered. [Read more…]

Anthony Fasano PE, Executive Director of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) speaks with Mark Kriss, Esq., NYSSPE legislative counsel in our second June/July legislative video update on the proposed parking garage inspection legislation.

Kriss discussed that the impetus for this bill was the partial collapse of a parking garage the same day a Broome County Executive was in the garage.  This prompted local politicians to reach out to NYSSPE President Larry O’Connor for assistance in investigating how often these parking garages need to be inspected, and currently there are no requirements.  This proposed bill which NYSSPE helped to craft, has already passed the assembly, and requires buildings to have inspections every five years. This parking structure situation is a good example to engineers of what we do at NYSSPE.  We try to help improve the safety and welfare of the public through the proper legislative channels.

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Anthony Fasano, P.E. Executive Director of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers (NYSSPE) speaks with Mark Kris, Esq, NYSSPE legislative counsel. This is part of the NYSSPE legislative video series that will focus on helping our members and other licensed engineers keep up to date on the profession.

The topic of  this video is Fingerprinting for Engineers, which is being considered during this legislative session. Fingerprinting has been talked about for health care professions where people may try assume a false identity to obtain drugs or take advantage of elderly people.  However it could be carried to all of the licensed professions including engineering if legislation passes. [Read more…]