Builders fined for failure to register

Two of Newark's busiest and most politically connected developers have paid thousands of dollars in fines for failing to register their companies as required by state law.

Manuel Rosa, a longtime ally of Mayor Sharpe James, paid $29,000 -- or $1,000 per unit -- for homes he built and sold, said William Connelly, director of code compliance for the state Department of Community Affairs. In settling with the state, Rosa, who employs one of the mayor's sons, registered his primary construction company, Lilac Development, and several building firms in which he is a partner.

Antonio Pereira, business partner of former James chief of staff Jackie Mattison, has paid $11,000 in fines for homes he built, but based on facts raised in a Star-Ledger story, authorities have not issued a registration for his company, ATS Development, said Community Affairs spokesman Sean Darcey.

On his application, Pereira listed himself as the sole owner of ATS, but in a sworn statement filed with the city, Mattison declared himself a partner. Mattison entered the development business in 2000, soon after his release from federal prison, where he had been sent on a public corruption conviction.

Darcey said the registration is on hold pending an investigation.

Neither Rosa nor Pereira returned phone messages left at their offices this week.

The requirement to register with the state is to ensure developers are reputable and are purchasing warranties to protect new homeowners from faulty construction.

The developers' lack of credentials was brought to the attention of the DCA by The Star-Ledger earlier this year. The newspaper also provided the DCA with a list of developers who were building in the city without registering. After investigating the list, Connelly issued violation letters to eight additional developers who built and sold homes without state approval. They, too, face fines, as high as $2,000 per home.

Newark has led all New Jersey cities and towns in new home construction for the past four years, with more than 5,300 houses springing up all over the city.

The DCA said the eight other developers have been notified of fines.

Jacinto Rodrigues, owner of Sumo Realty and another leading Newark builder, faces fines up to $160,000 for the 80 homes he built since allowing his registration to expire, the department said. Paul DeBellis, another active builder, and his partners face fines up to $20,000.

The following nonprofit corporations also were notified of fines, according to the DCA: Greater Friendship Community Development Corp. ($48,000); Metropolitan United Ministries Development Corp. ($114,000); Don Pedro Housing Corp. ($46,000); New Heights Ministry Urban and Community Development ($50,000); Community Urban Renewal Enterprises ($160,000) and Greater Refuge Development Corp. ($28,000).

According to DCA's Connelly, the nonprofits appear to have teamed up with private builders to construct their homes. The private builders in turn issued home warranty policies, while the law says they must be issued by the seller whose name appears on the deed.

Ian T. Shearn may be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (973) 392-1671.