Lawrence inspector on leave during certification fraud investigation

LAWRENCE, Mass. — A Lawrence city inspector is off the job after allegations he sold fake "food safety certificates" to local stores.

FOX25 has learned that the investigation started after another inspector found a fake certificate. The city’s attorney said the inspection fraud may have been going on for years.

The inspector in question, Jorge Dejesus, has been placed on paid leave by Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera.

The city has apparently uncovered at least four instances where fake certificates were sold for cash.

Restaurant owners need to pass a test and then pay for the certification paperwork before they can be allowed to open.

“It's not that easy. You have to take a test, 100 questions. You have to study a little bit,” Gino Iacovella, the owner of Napoli Pizza and Subs, said.

Another concern is that Dejesus is an instructor for the ServSafe class. Now, the city is looking into whether he changed grades or not.

“When things went awry and started playing fast and loose, we don't know. We are compiling evidence and hope to conclude the investigation very soon,” Lawrence City Attorney Brian Corrigan said.

Corrigan said the city is also looking into other violations, including Dejesus allegedly asking city employees to erase information on his city computer.

The union representing city inspectors declined to comment, saying that the investigation is on-going.

At Dejesus’ home, a family member told FOX25 he was not available.

Cox Media Group