Manhattan's battle against wage theft has scored a tangible win, as District Attorney Alvin Bragg announced the restitution of $36,786.36 to a group of workers previously shortchanged on their earnings. The case centered around Anthony Martucci, owner of Tuccimar, Inc., who was contracted for a city-funded emergency shoring project. In a report from Manhattan District Attorney, Martucci confessed to the crime and agreed to a deal that would repay the workers in full and prevent his company from bidding on New York City contracts for the next three years.
"With this resolution, hardworking New Yorkers will be paid what they rightfully earned," DA Bragg stated, emphasizing the importance of holding companies accountable. The partnership between various city departments was instrumental in bringing the issue of wage theft to light and ensuring justice was served, as per the Manhattan DA's Office.
In the court documents, which were detailed by the Manhattan DA's Office, Martucci's company began work on the East 14th Street site in December 2023, completing the project in January 2024. Despite submitting certified payrolls to the City, Martucci failed to pay three professional engineers and three laborers the full amount they were due. However, prior to the resolution of the case, Martucci had compensated one of the engineers.
The Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber commented on the contractor's deceit, "This City-funded contractor stole over thirty thousand dollars of his workers' rightful earnings on an emergency building project in Manhattan." Strauber confirmed that the defendant's criminal conduct would be noted in the City’s vendor database to warn potential future contractors. She thanked the collaboration among city departments for shining a light on and combating wage theft, as per the Manhattan DA's Office.
Assistant D.A. James Clarke, with oversight from other senior figures within the Manhattan DA’s Office, handled the prosecution. The D.A.'s office also extended gratitude towards the Department of Investigation for their role in ensuring this successful outcome.
