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Lawmakers: Sanitation Workers Caught On Video Issuing Bogus Tickets To Brooklyn Homeowners

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Local lawmakers are accusing some New York City sanitation agents of fraud and perjury.

Assemblyman Dov Hikind and Sen. Jeff Klein said three agents were caught on surveillance video in Brooklyn issuing homeowners tickets for violations they did not commit.

"If we know about these three false tickets, I can only imagine how many more cases of fraud there must be," Hikind said.

1010 WINS' Stan Brooks reports

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Homeowner Monty Katz said he was issued a bogus summons and won the case after catching the sanitation agent on video.

"I was appalled," Katz said. "If it was done to me, it was done to hundreds and hundreds of people out there who do not have video cameras and have to repay it because they don't have any proof whatsoever."

Hikind and Klein are introducing legislation which would require sanitation agents to photograph and document the condition of a property at the time a ticket is issued.

"Anyone who has ever received a violation knows it always comes down to their word against the agent's word," Hikind said. "With photographic evidence, there can be no dispute as to the guilt or innocence of a property owner."

"A picture is not only worth a thousand words, but also time, money, and faith in the system," said Klein.

Hikind said sanitation tickets carry a fine of at least $100 and that the false violations "are nothing more than a money-maker for the city."

Klein told CBS 2's John Slattery that "It's our job to put money back in people's pockets, not take it out of them."

A sanitation spokesman said the department is investigating.

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