New York NY - City Worker Admits Posing As Architect

New York, NY - A city Department of Education employee an assistant architect in the department's construction unit, pleaded guilty to pretending to be a licensed architect and falsely certifying building plans and permit applications.

James Arriaga will be sentenced to four months of weekends in jail, five months of probation and reparations of $10,000, and will be required to resign from his job.

Prosecutors said Arriaga used a fake architect's stamp and seal on documents he submitted to the Department of Buildings. He defrauded more than 150 people between April 1, 2001, and July 1, 2005, generally collecting $500 to $1,000 per job.

The city is re inspecting the properties Arriaga certified.