Mayor confirms NYCHA inspection lapse

Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that a lapse in NYCHA building inspections began during the last mayoral administration, in 2012, and that his office didn't uncover it until 2016, when they were quickly resumed.
The announcement came in response to allegations that NYCHA lied about performing lead paint inspections, potentially putting thousands of people at risk.
The Independent Democratic Conference also said Monday that it found that 64 percent of respondents felt NYCHA did not completely abate problems they reported, and 24 percent said NYCHA failed to fix mold and lead issues.
Since the work resumed, the mayor says inspectors visited about 4,200 apartments.
But Councilman Ritchie Torres and other councilmembers are demanding an independent monitor to oversee NYCHA.
"I will not relent in holding NYCHA's feet to the fire until one is appointed," Torres said.