“These workers performed extremely dangerous rigging work from the top of landmark skyscrapers, a job that requires both extreme skill and nerves of steel,” said District Attorney Bragg. “Yet, for nearly 18 months, we allege George Cole operated a lucrative company without insurance for his employees – all while stealing their wages. This indictment demonstrates the importance of collaboration among the members of our Construction Fraud Task Force to keeping New York’s workers safe, and I thank each of our partners for their work on this investigation.”

“All workers deserve to be fairly compensated for the labor they provide. When Manhattan workers are taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers, we are fiercely committed to making them whole,” said D.A. Bragg. “I hope the return of these wages provides some closure to these hard-working individuals. I urge anyone who has been a victim of wage theft to call our Worker Protection Unit at 646-712-0298.”

“As alleged, Samy Garcia Caba repeatedly scammed his workers out of the wages they were owed. Hard-working New Yorkers in the construction industry are essential to the growth of New York City and we are making it clear that executives cannot exploit their labor,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I urge anyone who has been a victim of wage theft or dangerous workplace conditions to call or message our Worker Protection Unit at 646-712-0298.”

“Wage theft is a crime that takes one billion dollars a year from New York workers. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office will continue to protect New York workers and hold bad actors accountable,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank the talented prosecutors and analysts and our Construction Fraud Task Force partner, the New York City Department of Investigation, for working to deliver accountability.”  

“The work we do in this space would not be possible without the close collaboration and partnership of our integral local, state, and federal law enforcement partners. Construction fraud can fleece the public, hurt law-abiding business owners, and endanger the lives of workers,” said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. “The expansion of the Construction Fraud Task Force demonstrates the seriousness of our commitment to rooting out illegal activity and creating a safe and fair industry.”