Environmental inspector pleads guilty

From Fox 5:

NEW YORK - An ailing environmental threat assessor has pleaded guilty to filing false reports that masked potential lead paint and asbestos hazards in New York City buildings.

Saverio Todaro entered the plea Friday in federal court in Manhattan.

The 68-year-old Todaro admitted his private inspection business submitted fictitious reports to federal and city officials between 2005 and 2008. The reports said several buildings were safe to occupy.

He said he sometimes never submitted dust samples to a lab. Other times, the inspections weren't even performed.

Todaro appeared in court with an oxygen tank and a walker. His wife says he suffers from emphysema.

He is free on $250,000 bond. He faces up to five years in prison.

No sentencing date was set.