Former Dearborn Building Inspector Charged with Fraud says Being ‘Singled Out’
Last week we reported on two more former Dearborn Building and Safety employees being charged with crimes connected to their jobs (click here for that story). Now one of the former employees facing misdemeanor fraud charges is speaking out, telling the Dearborn Times Herald that he is being singled out as a scapegoat and “has nothing to hide”.
Charged wtih fraud, former Dearborn Building & Safety employee Andrew Pizzino says he did nothing wrong and is being 'singled out.'
Andrew Pizzino of Dearborn, charged with two misdemeanor counts of fraud and two misdemeanor counts of ethics violations of the city charter, tells Times-Herald writer J. Patrick Pepper that he did not commit a crime. Rather, he tells the paper he believes that he is being made a scapegoat for a practice common among his colleagues.
“You ever hear of the ethics board?” Pizzino says in the Times-Herald article. “Tell them to check everybody in the Building and Safety Department (to) see how many went to the ethics board for the purchases of houses. I think I’m being singled out for some reason.”
According to Pizzino, all building inspectors are required to report any property purchases they are considering in Dearborn so the Board of Ethics can review the sale for any conflicts of interest or improprieties. The appointed Board of Ethics committee renders advisory opinions to city officers and employees and conducts investigations into possible ethics violations, according to the city charter.
“These people were selling their house, they wanted a certain amount and I gave it to them,” Pizzino tells the Times-Herald. “(Investigators) are trying to say I did something ethically wrong.”
The fraud charges are connected to the sale of homes at 2645 Chestnut and 22858 Beech. Wayne County land records show that Pizzino purchased the Chestnut home in October 2002 for $90,000 and then sold it 11 months later for $143,400. The home on Beech was purchased in January 2004 for $100,000 and sold in June 2005 for $203,000, according to Wayne County records.
Pizzino did not tell the Times Herald whether he filed the proper reports with the city for the sale of the two homes in question.
For complete Times Herald story, click here.
December 21st, 2009 at 9:02 am
Merry Christmas! Want some more address’s ? The only thing pizzino ever talked about is “What can you do for me for free”! He leveraged his position for years to buy and sell homes for profit. House for sale, not listed yet, contact this guy (a.p.). That’s what would happen on the first inspection. He work with several inspectors thru the years. Wait until the contractors talk about all the concrete they had to pour for years! Believe me O’Rielly did what guido would’nt ever do and he knew! Mark G. time to retire! Everyone knew! Ding dong the bitch is dead! Merry Christmas!
December 21st, 2009 at 12:05 pm
His “why’s everybody picking on me” sounds just like Kwame & a million other crooks about to go down. The only way he can say he’s clean is that he’s been smart enough not to leave a paper trail. Let’s hope some contractors have to guts to speak up. BTW, who’s on this ethics board? Is it yet another case of the fox guarding the henhouse, like the demo board? I had to laugh when I read what A.P. said in the Times-Geraldo article, that it’s all because he “talks alot”. Exactly, he’s known to boast about the favors he gets, etc.
How about some more addresses, Shady?
December 21st, 2009 at 2:35 pm
Seriously, it is about time this a- hole gets pinched. Hey Andy, welcome to the world of no Guido. Andy you are no more a low level criminal with a city badge. I hope you get a nice cell mate!
As for the mayor O’Rielly ; this is your chance to redeem you self and make a clean sweep of the building and safety department. Do not take this lightly, fix this department.
December 21st, 2009 at 4:50 pm
Its long overdue Andy — u have gotten away with murder over the yrs., and its time to pay the piper. Bring a large bar of soap for your cell mates because it will be easier for them. U know there are many more homes, that is if they keep looking — and don’t forget when the IRS follows up. Get ready for the big matza ball, because its coming.
December 21st, 2009 at 11:31 pm
I have to understand this: Are there still people out there who actually think that Jack O’Reilly is going to “do something” to clean up his city? Are there people who hope Jack even thinks he has to redeem himself on any level? He says everything, he does nothing. Not without forming committees to decide who is going to be on the committee. Jack and his Legal Eagles will head up a committee, along with some other cronies, to figure out what to do. And the best they will come up with is to do nothing, change nothing, let people think they are diligently working on it, and then let the issues die.
December 21st, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Hey Shady, was a former plans approval guy, initials K.L., in cahoots w/Pizzino?
December 22nd, 2009 at 11:19 am
Mary M. you are right on. Big Jack is a committee guy, maybe he should have run for the school board, since thats the way they operate. His cronies are on his committees and they are going to against Big Jack, if they want to stay on the committees. Check further Big Boy, namely Norwood and Cascardo, if you have the kahoonas.
December 22nd, 2009 at 6:45 pm
What goes around, comes around Andy. It took a while, but they finally got you a little, but don’t worry you know they have hardly anything, as of yet. Stay tuned however, for the I.R.S.
December 22nd, 2009 at 9:46 pm
Where is the investigation into the payoffs for commercial properties getting away with deviations? A four-story building on Warren was approved with only eleven parking spaces, when it should have had fifty or more. The bribe must have been impressive.
December 23rd, 2009 at 7:35 am
good ole scheming Andy, that now makes four taking the rap for you
December 24th, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Now that Andy has been had, how about Norwood and Cascardo (a/k/as — the three stooges). Will this investigation be done now, or will the other culprits get stung too — We can always hope Andy won’t be a martyr and will let everyone in on the other fishes too.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:59 am
Pre-trial postponed until march. Hopefully the public, the Mayor, the council, and H.R. wil stay on this thief and make sure he is off the cities dime for the rest of his life! And that includes any retirement benefits. If any of you so-called civics care about this community it’s important that this stays hot so we all can see the change and all the good employees know that this won’t be another dog and pony show! Trust me there are good employee’s but they’re tired of watching this type of scum get away with this and much more crap. Cascardo, your next!
January 8th, 2010 at 6:06 am
Shady Jim H. are you still doing plumbing without a license while working for a Building Department or still gambeling on the job with your old partner Ms. D.G.?
January 9th, 2010 at 8:31 am
Justice please call me out. My sins pale in comparison to soooooo many in city hall. I would be happy to disclose all in the court of law. Oh and don’t forget all my cheating with the staff and coaching in shorts on city time! Please come get me. When i figure out who you are i’ll get the paper and pic’s out for you also.