Construction Co. Owners Face Racketeering Charges in Florida

Gaetan Richard and Murray Rice were arrested this month on numerous charges, including racketeering, related to workers’ compensation fraud. According to state records, they have two active construction businesses: Richard and Rice Construction LLC and Richard & Rice Construction Co., Inc. Four other co-defendants were also arrested.

The alleged criminal scheme involved paying workers through over twenty shell companies. Over the course of about two years, Richard and Rice paid the shell companies nearly $40 million. According to an affidavit from the investigating detective, more that $12 million in workers’ compensation premiums and over $3 million in federal payroll taxes went unpaid.

If convicted, they could face 30 years in prison.