A retaining wall collapsed in the Staten Island back yard of lawyer John D'Amato, who is Rudolph Giuliani's NYC campaign manager -- and a lobbying partner of the effort's state co-chairman, Guy Molinari. The accident at the hilltop house caused damage and posed a safety threat to neighbors.
The wall was erected without a required permit, buidling officials said. It was never inspected by the city, only by D'Amato's own engineer, who was on probation by state officials for gross negligence, according to today's accounts.
Of course it was under Giuliani's mayoralty that the Buildings Department began this failed practice of "self-certification" -- and despite record surpluses kept inspection staffs minimal.
When D'Amato's campaign appointment was announced last month, much was made of his efforts on behalf of Republicans. But he apparently also hosted a campaign fundraiser there for now-Gov. Eliot Spitzer.