March 31, 2026 The safety of New York City’s iconic skyline is built on a foundation of rigorous inspections and unwavering ethics. But according to a bombshell indictment from the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, one man allegedly treated those safety standards like a clearance rack, selling off approvals to the highest bidder.

The Man at the Center: Jake Udeh

Jake Udeh, a 57-year-old former assistant chief plan examiner for the Department of Buildings (DOB), now faces a reckoning. Prosecutors allege that between 2021 and 2025, Udeh turned his government office into a personal ATM, pocketing more than $75,000 in bribes.

While some payments were as small as a few hundred dollars in cash, others were far more extravagant. One co-defendant, Jih Yeuan Hwang, allegedly bankrolled over $65,000 in international luxury travel for Udeh, including excursions to Paraguay and Japan.

A Breach of Public Trust

The scale of the alleged corruption is staggering. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg revealed that the scheme spanned more than 300 construction projects across all five boroughs. By reassigning approvals to his own team or signing off on them personally, Udeh effectively bypassed the scrutiny meant to keep New Yorkers safe.

"This type of bribery scheme undermines fair play in the open market... It also undermines the work of the Department of Buildings," stated DA Bragg.

The Paper Trail: Texts and Cash

This wasn't a sophisticated "Ocean's Eleven" operation. According to court documents, Udeh was surprisingly bold, allegedly coordinating payments through direct text messages that cited specific project addresses and dollar amounts. These digital receipts led investigators straight to the doorsteps of three construction-industry players now facing charges:

• Jih Yeuan Hwang, 50

• Anson Tse, 40

• Shiming Tam, 70

The Aftermath: Is the City Safe?

The big question for New Yorkers is whether the buildings approved during this four-year window are structurally sound. Christopher Ryan, acting commissioner of the Department of Investigation (DOI), hasn't left that to chance. He has recommended a full-scale audit of every project overseen by Udeh.

DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani confirmed that the agency is cooperating fully, noting that the investigation actually began when internal staff flagged "suspicious activity."

As the legal proceedings move forward, the case serves as a grim reminder that in a city of millions, the integrity of a single "plan examiner" can be the difference between a safe home and a structural catastrophe.