SMITHTOWN - The former chief building inspector of the town of Smithtown pled not guilty Tuesday at his arraignment on a 42-count indictment charging him with bribe receiving, falsifying business records, official misconduct, conspiracy and other charges.

Robert Bonerba of Nesconset was directed to surrender his passport and set cash bail at $25,000 with a bond alternative of $100,000. 

District Attorney Thomas Spota said Bonerba, who worked as the Smithtown Chief Building Inspector from 1988 until 2007, has given investigators two lengthy written confessions.  “This investigation began two years ago and is broadening,” Spota said.  “The indictment unsealed this morning outlines a pattern of bribery and favor seeking in the Smithtown town building department, including the payment of cash bribes by developers to expedite inspections and to improperly receive certificates of occupancy and other building department approvals.”

Bonerba, 58, faces more than 20 years in prison if convicted of the charges.  The top counts in the indictment, first degree coercion and 10 counts of third degree bribe receiving, are class “D” felonies punishable by a maximum prison sentence of 2 1/3 to seven years.

 The other crimes alleged are 10 counts of official misconduct, seven counts of falsifying business records in the first degree, seven counts of offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree, three counts of issuing a false certificate, two charges of obstructing governmental administration in the second degree, and one count each of fifth degree conspiracy, receiving unlawful gratuities, and first degree coercion.