Inspector Accused of False Report on Collapsed Hard Rock Hotel Resigns

Tuesday, March 17, 2020 | 0

A New Orleans city building inspector, suspended for allegedly falsifying inspection reports before the Hard Rock Hotel collapsed in October, has resigned.

New Orleans Hard Rock Hotel

Eric Treadaway is one of two inspectors accused of signing off on a 14th-floor concrete section, but vehicle GPS records showed that the inspectors were not near the site at the time, according to news reports. The top floors of the 18-story hotel collapsed weeks later, killing three workers and injuring others.

Lawsuits and video shot by workers suggest that the concrete floors were not properly supported and had begun sagging shortly after they were poured. Several workers' compensation claims have been filed because of the incident, the Louisiana Office of Workers' Compensation has said.

Treadaway's resignation ends the city's disciplinary action against him. He also is accused of signing off on slab and foundation inspections at the nearby Four Seasons Hotel project in New Orleans in early 2019, according to news reports.

A second inspector, Julie Tweeter, faces a disciplinary hearing this week, and federal, state and city investigations into the Hard Rock collapse are continuing.

A third inspector, Thomas Dwyer, who also allegedly inspected work at the Hard Rock Hotel, has retired from the city. Another inspector, Kevin Richardson, pleaded guilty last fall to accepting $65,000 in bribes in exchange for not reporting building violations and signing false inspection reports. He is set for sentencing on May 5.

Two other city building officials also have been suspended while investigations are underway.