Smithtown Fire Inspector admits guilt

January 21, 1963 Former town fire inspector pleads guilty to misdemeanor extortion charge in Suffolk County Court. Case grew out of charges that Henry Haberman, a deputy building inspector, offered a $50.00 bribe to his boss, Harvey Manuel to overlook violations in a garden apartment project in Hauppauge. Mr. Haberman of 20 Wood Lane, Smithtown was initially charged with bribing public officers, taking unlawful fees and extortion. He faces penalties of up to a year in jail and $500.00 in fines. He is out on bail until sentencing February 15. Mr. Haberman was suspended in May of last year when the charge of offering a bribe was lodged by Mr. Manuel. Me. Haberman was fired from his town post when he was indicted by the grand jury. Police say that Mr. Haberman picked up $100.00 in cash from Greentree Garden Apartments and then tried to pass on $50.00 to Mr. Manuel. From Smithtown News 1/24/1963.