Conjecture among some in the Building Department suggest the taking of Mr Correia's computer hard drive is somehow related to the Ridge Hill Development Project.This may seem plausible to some because Mr Correira had at one time had purview over some aspects of Ridge Hill. Acid-tongued bloggers believe the difficulty Mr Correira is immersed in may have to do with conduct unbecoming a buildings inspector, and specifically with regard to a residential property, but other than Ridge Hill. After admitting that they knew nothing initially of Mr Correia, City Hall would neither confirm nor deny the allegationn this reporter divulged to them, other than the case is under investigation..
The FBI's insinuation into the Yonkers Building Department does not bode well for Mayor Amicone's desperate need to move economic development projects forward as quickly as possible. The fact that City Hall has quietly eased Mr Correia out from his employ within a month of his 10-year tenure is suspect. No one in his right mind would ever consider leaving his job within 30 days of attaining tenure.
Speculation is rife that Mr Correia's conduct is potentially deleterious to City Hall and it is for that reason that City Hall has distanced itself from a long-time loyal servant.
The meticulous scrutiny by which law enforcement will conduct its investigation of Mr Correia's computer hard drive and the residual connections to others in City Hall may bring pause to the Yonkers City Council authorizing any further contractual agreements until this investigation is vetted so as not to cause any liability upon the Yonkers City Council as a body, or personal individuals.
David Simpson, mayoral spokesperson, wrote the following to Yonkers Tribune's inquiry, :"Joseph Correia’s employment with the City of Yonkers Department of Housing and Buildings was terminated effective Sept. 4, 2009; he did not resign. His title was Senior Housing Inspector and he was making $77,069 at the time of his termination. The reason for his termination is insubordination—failure to cooperate with an internal City of Yonkers investigation that is ongoing. Because the investigation is ongoing, I cannot provide any further details at this time."
At issue now is why City Hall terminated Mr Correia's employment and if City Hall had at one time sanctioned Mr Correia's conduct in his capacity as Senior Housing Inspector? Also whether anyone in City Hall was aware of Mr Correia's conduct being allegedly inappropriate, and if so, when did they know it? Further still, did City Hall sanction Mr Correia's conduct, such as it was?
Building Inspector Supervisor Bob Ciamarra has not returned our inquiry left on his telephone answering service.
