Public Advocate Tish James on Thursday called for the resignation of embattled Housing Authority Chairwoman Shola Olatoye over NYCHA’s repeated failure to inspect 55,000 low-income apartments for lead-paint hazar꧂ds.
In a message posted on her office’s : “After meeting w/ the NYCHA Chair today, it is clear that it is time for sweeping operational changes, independent monitoring, and transparency at the City’s Housing Authority.”
“Most importantly, it’s time for new leadership and a fresh start at NYCHA,” she added.
The tweet came about an hour after The Post exclusively revealed James would act against Olatoye, with a source familiar with the matter saying Olatoye had “tried throwing her staff under the bus” during their 90-minute discussion.
James requested the sit-down in her office following Tuesday’s release of a damning report by the Department of Investigation, which revealed Olatoye repeatedly filed paperwork with the feds that falsely claimed the lead checks had been performed.
Olatoye, appointed by Mayor de Blasio in 2014, signed one form last year despite admittedly knowing it wasn’t true, according to the DOI report.
Legal experts have told The Post she could face prosecution on a federal false-statement charge, which is p🐼unishable by up to five years in prison.