A Troy, N.Y., man has been indicted for allegedly posing as a licensed architect in order to secure work on a half-dozen building projects around the Albany area.
Paul J. Newman of Cohesion Studios Inc. has been charged with defrauding construction companies, business owners, and local governments. The New York Attorney General's office alleges that Newman drafted architectural renderings for more than 100 properties including some for multiple large housing projects.
Newman also allegedly submitted foundation inspections, field reports, energy compliance certificates, and engineer letters to multiple towns and cities falsely certifying that he was a licensed architect. The state attorney general’s office alleges that Newman forged state a Registered Architect stamp or Professional Engineer stamp crafted from registration numbers and signatures borrowed from an actual architect and engineer.
Newman reportedly was assessed a $4,500 fine by the Florida Board of Architecture and Interior Design for doing work on a church project without the proper licensing. Newman is the sole employee of Cohesion Studios, according to prosecutors. Newman allegedly did work in a number of other states and places, including Puerto Rico and Brazil. He could receive a sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted of the most serious charge.
Related Stories
| Jan 26, 2012
Siemens launches smoke detection knowledge center
New knowledge center web site demonstrates efficacy of smoke detection.
| Jan 18, 2012
Chile's seismic code upgrades credited with saving lives in 2010 quake
Since 1960, when Chile suffered a 9.5 magnitude quake, the largest ever recorded; the country has steadily improved building codes to protect lives and property.
| Jan 18, 2012
Report analyzes residential hurricane codes in 18 states
The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) released a new report analyzing residential building codes in 18 hurricane-prone coastal states along the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Coast.
| Jan 18, 2012
Death in Chicago high-rise apartment fire blamed on fire code
The death of a Chicago woman who stepped off her elevator into a blazing inferno last week has underscored the need for fire sensors in elevators.
| Jan 18, 2012
California approves open cell spray foam for energy efficiency standards
The California Energy Commission (CEC) now recognizes open-cell spray foam as an accepted insulation in its 2008 Building Energy Efficiency Standards.
| Jan 5, 2012
Building to LEED standards now an 'easy call' from cost standpoint
Once seen as a cost burden, building to LEED standards is now an "easy call," according to Dan Probst, chairman of energy and sustainability for real estate management and development firm Jones Lang LaSalle.
| Jan 5, 2012
Minnesota's GreenStep Cities program aids communities in winning grants
GreenStep Cities, a Minnesota initiative, was designed to provide greater recognition to the state's communities for achievements in meeting sustainability standards and goals.
| Jan 5, 2012
Some ADA accessibility rules change in 2012
Some changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act go into effect beginning March 15, 2012.
| Jan 5, 2012
Ontario's stringent energy code has builders concerned over indoor air quality
Some Ontario builders are worried that new building code requirements with stricter energy efficiency measures could lead to poor indoor air quality.
| Jan 5, 2012
New law bars Defense Department from new LEED certifications
The Defense Department will not be allowed to use any money to certify its buildings LEED Gold or Platinum, under a law President Obama signed Dec. 31.