Ramapo Planning Director Indicted

A Rockland County Grand Jury voted an indictment against the Town of Ramapo Director of Building, Planning and Zoning for allegedly stealing over $150,000 in a yearlong scheme to falsify building permits and building permit applications, the Rockland County District Attorney announced Wednesday.

Anthony Mallia, 52, was arrested in September and accused of a scheme to skim contractors' building permit fees.

The 188-count indictment charges Mallia, of 5 Biret Drive, Airmont, New York with:

• One count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, as a crime of Public Corruption a class "B" Felony

• One count of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree, a class “C” Felony

• 40 counts of Tampering with Public Records in the First Degree, class “D" Felonies

• 66 counts of Falsifying Business Records in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies

• 40 counts of Issuing a False Certificate, class “E” Felonies

• 40 counts of Official Misconduct, a class "A" Misdemeanor

“This case goes to the very heart of corruption,” Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe said in Wednesday's announcement. “According to the charges, the defendant developed an elaborate scheme to steal taxpayer money rather than to ensure public safety and compliance. His breach of the people's trust comes at a time when the residents of Ramapo are demanding honesty from their leaders. Such self-serving criminal behavior severely undermines public confidence in government and will not be tolerated.”

Zugibe said that the allegations are that Mallia was grossly undercharging contractors for building permit applications for new residential construction projects.

Ramapo has become notorious for problems with local officials. A councilman resigned as part of a plea bargain; four officials including the town supervisor face federal criminal and SEC charges. The building inspector was arrested; the state Education Department accused the fire inspector of not performing his job. The East Ramapo Board of Education unaccountably forgot to swear in the only female member on the mostly Hasidic board, and another of its members was accused of using a false in-district address.

SEE ALSO:

• Ramapo Building Inspector Faces Corruption Charges
• SEC Charges 4 in Ramapo
• State Slaps Ramapo on Private-school Fire Inspections
• Rockland Firefighters, Officials Call for State to Intervene in Ramapo, Spring Valley Code Enforcement
• Tress Resigns from Ramapo Town Board as Part of Plea Bargain
• East Ramapo Trustee Accused of Using Fake In-District Address
• NYCLU Appeals to State over East Ramapo School Trustee