Despite scandal, lead removal remains critical Trenton issue
onfessions by two city lead inspectors that they fraudulently inflated overtime hours for lead inspections demand further review.
While city council members should avoid an inquiry that conflicts with the Department of Justice District of New Jersey probe, residents should know that the Bureau of Environmental Health overseen by the Department of Health and Human Services functions appropriately.
Michael Ingram, 71, of Trenton, and William Kreiss, 40, of Yardley, Pennsylvania, each pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael A. Shipp in Trenton federal court to one count of conspiracy to embezzle, steal, and obtain by fraud more than $5,000 in funds from the city of Trenton.
Forget the conspiracy to embezzle money and consider that the BEH had a mission to screen all children less than six years of age for elevated blood lead levels to protect children from adverse health effects due to exposure to lead hazards in residences and in the environment.
The DOJ noted that when screening of a child revealed that the blood lead level exceeded the permissible amount, Trenton HHS was required to coordinate, oversee, and provide the necessary services to identify lead sources, eliminate a child’s lead exposure, and reduce the child’s blood lead level below five micrograms per deciliter (g/dL). As part of these services, a public health nurse was required, among other things, to conduct, along with an inspection team, a home visit of the residence where the child lived.
While the Feds concerns connect to theft and embezzlement, a city-based probe should investigate employee performances regarding the identifications of lead. No doubt, two exercises, one negative and another positive can coexist simultaneously.
BEH employees involved in this conspiracy, and mind you, the investigation extends beyond Kreiss and Ingram, may have performed exemplarily with their lead mission and still received illegal monies.
City Council members have the power to request a status report on efforts to remove lead from Trenton area households. Despite the conspiracy to defraud, lead removal remains critical to the health and well-being of residents, especially children.