National Grid Workers, Brooklyn Landlords Arrested In Alleged Gas Meter Scheme

Over three dozen people, including National Grid employees, were indicted in an alleged gas meter scheme on Thursday, the New York City Department of Investigation announced.

According to the press release, the workers are being charged with enterprise corruption and related offenses for conducting a shadow operation involving the installation of illegal gas meters throughout Brooklyn for landlords offering $1,300 to $2,500 per meter, thereby violating the New York City Department of Buildings and National Grid regulations.

Former National Grid employee Weldon "Al" Findlay of Snyder Avenue, Brooklyn, was identified as the mastermind behind the shadow operation spanning over the borough, according to Acting Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. He is being charged with enterprise corruption which is punishable by a prison sentence of up to 25 years.

Among the defendants charged in connection with the gas meter scheme are property managers, contractors as well as landlords who ordered or received the illegal gas service.

According to the Brooklyn District Attorney's press release, the shadow operation infiltrated 33 residential properties across Brooklyn including Williamsburg, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Midwood, Crown Heights, Borough Park and Brooklyn Heights.

The arrested were taken to Brooklyn Supreme Court.

Image via Patch