NYC Contractor Pleads Guilty in Wage Theft Case, Pays Full $36.8K Restitution to Workers
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has announced a guilty plea in a wage theft case involving a contractor who underpaid workers on a city-funded emergency shoring project. Anthony Martucci, 60, owner of Tuccimar, Inc., pleaded guilty to one count of petit larceny for failing to fully compensate six employees — including professional engineers and laborers — for work performed at a residential building on East 14th Street under a New York City Housing Preservation & Development (HPD) contract.
In a resolution praised by city officials, Martucci has repaid the workers in full, totaling $36,786.36. In addition to financial restitution, Martucci will be barred from bidding on New York City contracts for a period of three years. His name will also be flagged in the city’s vendor database to prevent future engagements without proper scrutiny.
“With this resolution, hardworking New Yorkers will be paid what they rightfully earned, and the unscrupulous owner of a construction company will not be able to bid on City contracts for three years,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank DOI for its partnership in rooting out fraud in our city contracts, especially in a field as critical and potentially dangerous as construction.”
Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the Department of Investigation (DOI), echoed those sentiments:
“This City-funded contractor stole over thirty thousand dollars of his workers’ rightful earnings on an emergency building project in Manhattan. As part of his guilty plea, the defendant has repaid his workers and will be barred from bidding on City contracts for three years. DOI also will flag his criminal conduct in the City’s vendor database to ensure that agencies which may contract with him in the future are aware of it.”
The case stems from a December 2023 emergency shoring contract awarded to Tuccimar, Inc. for work on an apartment building located at 642 East 14th Street. Martucci won the job after submitting a bid significantly lower than those of competing contractors. Work began on December 16 and concluded on January 12, 2024.
According to court records, Tuccimar submitted weekly certified payrolls to the city, claiming to have paid employees in full for their labor. However, investigators from the DOI and D.A.’s office later found that Martucci had failed to pay three engineers and three laborers their full wages. One engineer was eventually paid during the investigation, but five workers remained unpaid — until Martucci submitted full restitution earlier this month.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant D.A. James Clarke, supervised by Deputy Chief of the Investigation Division Judy Salwen and Chief of the Worker Protection Unit Rachana Pathak. The effort was part of the Manhattan D.A.’s ongoing initiative to combat wage theft in the construction and service sectors.
Wage Theft Remains a Widespread Concern
This case highlights a broader challenge facing city and state authorities: the persistent issue of wage theft, particularly in public works and emergency contracting. Investigations like this one often uncover deliberate underpayment and misrepresentation on certified payrolls — practices that leave workers shortchanged and undermine fair competition among contractors.
Experts say the construction industry is particularly vulnerable due to its heavy reliance on subcontracting and competitive bidding. As city agencies ramp up housing and infrastructure projects with significant public funding, enforcement of wage and labor standards is increasingly critical.
Looking Ahead
While restitution and debarment offer accountability in this case, officials say ongoing vigilance is essential. “We are committed to ensuring that city dollars go to honest contractors who treat their workers with fairness and dignity,” D.A. Bragg said.
DOI Commissioner Strauber added that the collaboration with HPD and the District Attorney’s office is vital in identifying and prosecuting violations swiftly, particularly on projects funded by taxpayers.
Originally reported by Manhattanda.Org.