Port Jervis building inspector charged with harassment after alleged threat over money
Court documents allege David Rivera demanded money from a man before threatening to "knock [his] teeth down [his] throat."
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A Port Jervis building inspector is facing a new criminal charge after authorities say he threatened a man during a confrontation over money.
According to court documents, 53-year-old David Rivera was arraigned last week in Port Jervis City Court on a charge of second-degree harassment, a violation.
The criminal complaint alleges Rivera approached a man in the City of Port Jervis on June 16 and demanded money, saying, “Where’s my [expletive] money? I don’t [expletive] care. Give me my [expletive] money. I won’t take you to [expletive] court. I will knock your teeth down your throat.”
The complaint further alleges Rivera raised his left fist before lowering it. An order of protection was issued on the victim’s behalf.
Second-degree harassment is a violation with a maximum sentence of up to 15 days in jail, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Rivera is due back in court Aug. 19. The Port Jervis city judge recused himself from the case, and a judge from the Town of Mount Hope has been assigned.
Rivera has previously faced criminal charges while serving as Port Jervis’s building inspector.
Rivera pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in 2023 in satisfaction of a sexual abuse case after prosecutors said they consulted with three women who accused him of sexual harassment while he was on duty. Orders of protection were issued on behalf of the women.
Rivera was found not guilty in 2021 in connection with a bar fight involving his wife and another woman who had accused him of sexual misconduct.
David Rivera during a 2020 court appearance in the Town of Wallkill.
Some people who live and work in Port Jervis say they have concerns about the arrests.
"It should have been stopped last time, but everything just gets swept under the rug," says Jeff Clune, a contractor in the city for more than 25 years.
Port Jervis resident Jeremiah McCollum also questioned Rivera's conduct.
"That's not professional at all, McCollum said. I feel that we don't need somebody in this city that acts like that."
Rivera also previously served as a part-time building inspector for the Town of Greenville. Town Supervisor David Zubikowski told News 12 the town hired a new building inspector on June 25, 2025.
An attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County is representing Rivera. News 12 has reached out to both Rivera and his attorney for comment and is awaiting a response. News 12 also reached out to the City of Port Jervis regarding Rivera’s employment status and whether either municipality plans to take any administrative action.
