A former construction superintendent in Baltimore has been handed down a sentence in a wage theft case that has once again highlighted the injustice workers can face in the construction industry. Fredy Arellano, 45, from York, Pennsylvania, has admitted to his role in a felony theft scheme that wrongfully deprived construction workers of due wages on projects at the University of Maryland.
The case, which has been closely followed by the Attorney General’s Office, showed that Arellano, while working at Congratulations Construction Inc., solicited the company to supply workers for significant university projects. Despite labor laws requiring payment of the prevailing wage, Arellano and his confederates deliberately chose to falsify payroll records and underpay the workers. What they did amounted to siphoning off money owed to those on the ground, "taking food off the table for Maryland families," as described by Attorney General Anthony Brown in a press release reported by FOX Baltimore.
According to CBS News Baltimore, Arellano's cut of the underhanded dealings totaled $63,157, a sum that he has since paid back in full as restitution. His sentencing took place in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, where he received a five-year prison term. However, all but 90 days were suspended, to be served via home detention, followed by three years of supervised probation.
For workers who believe they may be entitled to restitution due to the malpractices of Congratulations Construction Inc., Attorney General Brown has opened the doors to justice, urging them to contact his office.
