Report criticizes Troy officials but sees no crime

Troy

The City Council's findings on controversial demolition and code enforcement actions will not recommend criminal investigations, but criticizes city administrative operations for jeopardizing residents, according to a draft report obtained by the Times Union.

The City Council will issue a final report next week based on its investigation of the 2013 demolition of 4-10 King St. and 2014 demolition work at the King Fuels site and closing 51 Third St. by code enforcement in 2014.

"The Troy City Council makes no claim of criminal fault in any of these situations," a copy of the draft report states.

"It is noted that other qualified agencies are conducting external investigations into the legality of certain city processes and any criminal activity surrounding these events," the report states.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and FBI agents have received copies of the testimony and have been interviewing city employees about the demolition projects.

What comes across in the draft report is the council's frustration at the lack of oversight in certain government activities.

The draft report notes the council "was thwarted at times and ... that information was being deliberately hidden or manufactured in order to sell a story or bolster a certain testimony."

The draft report found there was no communication within the administration ranks, that department heads stretched their powers and that public safety and rights were threatened at the three sites.

"There is no active communication between the administration and the departments that involve in these issues," City Council President Rodney Wiltshire said Thursday.

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Report criticizes Troy officials but sees no crime