A Brooklyn man, identified as 37-year-old Benedetto Bonello from Bensonhurst, was sentenced to six months in prison on charges of making and selling fake safety training cards. These counterfeit credentials were sold to construction workers who had not completed the necessary safety training courses required by law. According to the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, Bonello's company, National Site Safety LLC, had also pleaded guilty to related charges.
The fake cards forged by Bonello undermined a system intended to ensure the safety of New York’s workers and the public on construction sites. The investigation started after a routine check by the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) uncovered discrepancies in safety certifications. Bonello, a former legitimate OSHA trainer, used his position to sell fraudulent OSHA-30 and scaffolding user cards. The misconduct was addressed by Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation. In fact, according to a statement obtained by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, Gonzalez asserted that "Safety regulations exist because lives depend on them."
Bonello’s actions occurred in the context of construction work, where adherence to safety protocols is required to reduce the risk of accidents. OSHA-mandated training and Department of Buildings (DOB) regulations related to scaffold use are established to support site safety. As reported by the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, Bonello was identified in a sting operation after selling a fake OSHA-30 card to an undercover Department of Investigation officer who had not completed the required training.
Assistant District Attorney Adam Libove, Deputy Chief of the District Attorney's Public Integrity Bureau, prosecuted the case. The sentence issued to Bonello and his company is part of the enforcement of laws related to worker safety, as noted in statements from the District Attorney’s Office. The case highlights the application of legal measures in response to violations of established safety regulations.
