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Walter Booker, 53, a Spring Valley resident, was charged Jan. 21 with a several felony charges, including falsifying a Certificate of Occupancy for a village homeowner, according to Rockland County District Attorney Thomas P. Zugibe.
According to the charges, Booker, who holds the position of Chief Building Inspector, is accused of issuing false Certificates of Occupancy for a home located on Zeissner Lane. In doing so, the defendant aided the owner of the property in unlawfully obtaining tax exemptions.
He is also accused of filing false certificates that aided the owner of the property and their associated corporation to unlawfully receive income via operating a daycare center/school at the location.
Booker is charged with:
- One count of grand larceny in the third degree, a class “D” felony
- Three counts of falsifying business records in the first Degree , class “E” felonies
- Four counts of issuing a false certificate, class “E” felonies
- Three counts of Offering a False Instrument For filing in the first degree, class “E” felonies one count of official misconduct, a class “A” misdemeanor
“The defendant held an important, potentially life‐saving position, but chose to allegedly circumvent the system and violate the public's trust," said Zugibe. “His arrest shows that our prosecutors and law enforcement have zero tolerance for criminal conduct that undermines the County’s mandate to protect its citizens. My office will ensure that justice is done in this case.”
The defendant was released on his own recognizance and is scheduled to return to Ramapo Court on Feb. 4. He faces up to seven years in state prison if convicted.
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