Jersey Journal
BAYONNE, N.J. — Bayonne has imposed a $9,500 fine on the owner of a downtown Bayonne two-family home where a man, living in what officials say was an illegal apartment, died in a fire last summer.
Last Thursday night, the city Construction Board of Appeals upheld that penalty, city spokesman Joseph Ryan said.
City Fire Capt. Martin Papson, the city fire code official, said the department opted to hit the owner, Hany Salib, with close to the maximum fine allowed - $10,000 - for permitting an illegal unit at 134 West 11th St.
Salib didn’t appear at last week’s appeal hearing, but he was represented by Jersey City attorney Francis S. Cutruzzula, Papson said. Efforts to reach the lawyer yesterday were unsuccessful.
The discovery of “hot plates and a bed” in the attic following the fire confirmed that “it was being used as a sleeping area,” Papson said.
Bahgat Mosaad, 33, was found dead under a pile of debris on the floor of the attic bathroom after the July 22 fire. Mosaad’s relatives said that Mosaad was renting the attic apartment, but Salid said Mosaad was staying there as a guest.
Mosaad’s estate last year filed notice with the city it plans to file a $25 million “wrongful death” suit against Bayonne, the Jersey City Police and Fire departments, the county, the state, and Salib.
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