Crane Operator Indicted
The district attorney of New York City has brought homicide charges up against William Rapetti, owner of a rigging company that was responsible for a construction accident and seven deaths earlier this year. The 19 story tower crane fell while workers were trying to lengthen it.
Mr. Rapetti and the firm were charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide, a person familiar with the indictment who wasn’t authorized to announce the charges said on condition of anonymity.
Mr. Rapetti’s company in Massapequa Park was one of three contractors fined over $300,000 by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for safety violations stemming from the collapse.
The agency said Mr. Rapetti had failed to comply with the crane manufacturer’s specifications when erecting and raising the steel tower, and didn’t provide enough safety protection to keep workers from falling.