Spring Valley Building Inspector, Businessman Indicted

The chief building inspector for Spring Valley and a local businessman have been indicted, the Rockland County District Attorney announced Monday.

Walter Booker, 54, who was arrested in January, faces 12 counts including grand larceny, issuing a false certificate, and falsifying business records.

Indicted with him was Jacob Goldman, 48. Both are Spring Valley residents.

Officials allege that Booker issued false Certificates of Occupancy for Goldman’s residence at 9 Zeissner Lane, and filed false certificates which helped Goldman and an associated corporation unlawfully receive income operating a daycare center/school there.

“Corruption by any public official further corrodes the people’s confidence,” said District Attorney Thomas Zugibe. “In this case, a village official directly threatened an important public safety mission by exploiting his position for his own aggrandizement. We must have zero tolerance for criminal conduct that undermines a government's mandate to protect its citizens.”

Here's the DA's complete statement:

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe today announced that an 18-count indictment has been handed up against Walter Booker (DOB 01/04/62) of 15 Bird Place, Spring Valley, New York charging him with:

• Three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies

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

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

• Three counts of Official Misconduct, class “A” Misdemeanors

In addition, Jacob Goldman (DOB 04/19/68) of 9 Zeissner Lane, Spring Valley, New York was indicted on:

• Three counts of Grand Larceny in the Third Degree, class “D” Felonies

• Three counts of Offering a False Instrument For Filing in the First Degree, class “E” Felonies

“Corruption by any public official further corrodes the people’s confidence,” said District Attorney Zugibe. “In this case, a village official directly threatened an important public safety mission by exploiting his position for his own aggrandizement. We must have zero tolerance for criminal conduct that undermines a government's mandate to protect its citizens.”

According to the charges, Booker, who holds the position of Chief Building Inspector for the Village of Spring Valley, is accused of issuing false Certificates of Occupancy for Goldman’s residence at 9 Zeissner Lane. In doing so, Booker helped Goldman unlawfully obtain tax exemptions to which he was not entitled.

It should be noted that an indictment is merely an accusation and that the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Booker is also accused of filing false certificates which aided the owner of the property and their associated corporation to unlawfully receive income via operating a daycare center/school at the location.

Booker and Goldman’s arraignments are pending.

If convicted, they each face up to seven years in prison.

Executive Assistant District Attorney Richard Kennison Moran is prosecuting the case.

SCREENSHOT: 9 Zeissner Lane/Google Maps