Contractor, Inspector Deny Faulty Quake Safety Work

A contractor accused of performing faulty earthquake safety work on several brick buildings in Los Angeles, and the building inspector charged with falsely certifying the work, pleaded not guilty Monday.

After a two-year investigation, building officials have identified 31 unreinforced masonry buildings where they say Jose Aguilar, 51, president of Parcco Construction of Los Angeles, installed faulty anchors. Seismic anchors are designed to reduce structural damage and minimize loss of life in an earthquake.

The work was certified by Richard Vale, 31, of Downey, who worked at the time as an independent deputy inspector, city officials said.

Aguilar heads one of the major local firms performing seismic strengthening work mandated by the city’s 1981 earthquake safety ordinance. He faces grand theft and conspiracy charges and is also accused of filing false reports. Vale is accused of filing false reports and conspiracy.

“The defendants have in fact created a time bomb waiting to explode,” Deputy Dist. Atty. Kathryn Showers said in Los Angeles Municipal Court. Another 19 buildings have been identified as possibly being improperly retrofitted and the investigation is continuing, she said.

“Owners and occupants have a false sense of security,” said John Mepham, senior building inspector with the city Department of Building and Safety who is in charge of the investigation. “In the event of an earthquake, there’s potential loss of life as a result,” Mepham said.

Alan Baum, attorney for Aguilar, said his client has fully cooperated with the investigation and stood by his work. “He believes the quality of his procedures and materials were at least equal to if not superior to the approved procedures,” Baum said.

William G. Cort, attorney for Vale, said the former inspector is not guilty of any crime. Vale was not a city employee but was licensed as a registered deputy inspector. The city revoked his license last September.

The investigation began, Mepham said, after a building owner became concerned about Aguilar’s work. That led inspectors to begin examining almost 100 buildings on which Parcco had worked between 1988 and 1990, and where Vale had been the inspector.

Independent inspectors such as Vale, “save the city time and resources,” said Warren O’Brien, general manager of the building and safety department.

City inspectors are checking more often on the work done by independent deputies as a result of this case, O’Brien said. “In the earthquake safety program we’re being more careful about monitoring the deputies and showing up on jobs unannounced to make sure things are going right.”

Municipal Judge William K. Chidsey set bail for Aguilar and Vale at $100,000 each, and scheduled a preliminary hearing for March 26.