An El Paso contractor, Joseph Arroyos, has been sentenced to a five-year prison term for failing to pay workers and subcontractors for construction work performed across several locations. As reported by KTSM, Arroyos pled guilty to eight criminal counts on Oct. 7, which included felony and misdemeanor charges for theft of service and theft of property.
In a case that highlights the pressing issue of wage theft, Arroyos was convicted for hiring subcontractors to complete various projects. He received payment from property owners but chose not to compensate the subcontractors or workers. According to KFOX-TV, the total financial impact of his offenses was $105,500.30, with $15,400 specifically related to wage theft.
These offenses included work such as installation, roofing, and cinderblock wall projects. The victims, having been promised their due wages, found themselves cheated out of their rightful earnings. "These hard-working individuals were cheated out of their rightful earnings by someone who profited from their labor," El Paso County Attorney Jo Anne Bernal said, as obtained by KVIA. She further added, "Wage theft is a serious offense that affects the livelihoods of working families."
The El Paso County Attorney’s Office has encouraged anyone who may be a victim of wage theft to come forward and report such incidents. As part of their commitment to uphold justice for workers, they have provided a contact number and urged those affected to provide information to their office or law enforcement. It's an effort aimed at squarely addressing and actively combating this form of exploitation within the community.
