In response to the News 8 series, the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) issued a press release on its anti-payroll fraud efforts related to unemployment contributions. The LWC is expecting a record year. So far in 2015, auditors have found 12,782 misclassified employees and $83 million in underreported wages, resulting in collecting an additional $923,000 in unemployment taxes. The numbers don’t show how much of that was in the construction industry. In 2010 they found fewer than 300 misclassified employees. The LWC efforts are aided by anti-fraud software.
/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.png00IKORCC/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngIKORCC2016-01-21 00:00:002019-06-23 04:22:02Louisiana Workforce Commission Focusing on Payroll Fraud
Contractors that break the law often do not have workers’ compensation coverage. So who pays when workers are injured? In Connecticut, the Second Injury Fund (SIF) pays the bills. In fiscal year 2015, the SIF paid $3.9 million. The SIF does seek recovery from non-compliant employers. Unfortunately, the SIF was only able to recover $775,000. Law-abiding employers, of course, pick up the tab for the rest through state assessments.
Jason Engels, EST of the Central South Regional Council, was interviewed by News 8 investigative reporter Lee Zurick for a three part series on payroll fraud. The first broadcast introduced the problem and exposed that it costs Louisiana taxpayers $250 million annually. Part 2 delved into the law-breaking scheme used on numerous prevailing-rate projects by shady contractors and the lack of meaningful enforcement. The final broadcast showed how legislation with stiff penalties was blocked by a state senator who owns a construction company that subcontracted to a company that allegedly wrongly classified its workers. Rep. Smith (D) pledged on camera to re-introduce legislation with tougher penalties, and Rep. Broadwater (R) said he’d support a task force of state agencies and district attorneys.
When asked if a business saving hundreds of thousands of dollars would stop breaking the law if they only risked a $250 or $500 fine, Jason responded, “You wouldn’t. The penalties have to be increased through legislation on these contractors to get over this slap on the wrist…..Start putting some people in jail.”
Link to the series from PayrollFraud.net “Billion dollar blue print for a taxpayer rip-off.”
/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.png00IKORCC/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngIKORCC2016-01-21 00:00:002019-06-23 04:20:57TV News 8 and Central South Council Expose Payroll Fraud
The Ala Moana Center was raided by state investigators over charges of contractors committing payroll fraud. Investigators from state tax, labor and business departments went to the luxury mall in response to complaints from the Hawaii Construction Alliance. The Alliance is a group of trade unions that includes the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters.
Information on alleged improper practices was gathered by undercover informants, including a video of workers being paid in cash. Watch a news report on this raid through the Top of the News section of PayrollFraud.net.
“Workers are being paid in cash by these contractors and subcontractors which begs the question: are they filing the proper paperwork with the state?” said Tyler Dos Santos, Alliance Executive Director.
/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.png00IKORCC/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngIKORCC2016-01-21 00:00:002019-06-23 04:19:03State Raids Construction Site of Luxury Honolulu Mall
In an ongoing effort to give back to the community, Local 1005 of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters (IKORCC) collected and donated toys to the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program this past holiday season.
The Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys for children each year. Local businesses serve as collection sites where community members can drop off toys, and the collected toys are distributed to less fortunate children within the community so they can experience the joy of Christmas.
Working with Reggie Hess, Marine Corps League District 1 Vice Commandant, Local 1005 collected over 100 toys and gift cards. “We are so appreciative of the support from Local 1005. We had a very successful holiday season, and it could not have been done without their generosity,” commented Hess. “This past year, we provided over 2,400 Christmas presents to children in Porter County, and in some cases, we were able to give out up to five toys per child. It’s because of generous people like those in Local 1005 that we are able to bring happiness to kids and families on Christmas day.”
Throughout the year, IKORCC members volunteer in their local communities in countless ways, including collecting donations for local charities. “It’s all about giving back to the community and to those who may be going through a tough time,” commented Eric Yuhasz, Local 1005 Secretary and IKORCC Representative. “We have so many members who willingly volunteer time, talents and donations without hesitation. There really isn’t a better feeling than witnessing the joy and graciousness of the families receiving our volunteer services.”
https://www.cmwcarpenters.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/toys-for-tots.png468480IKORCC/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/CMWCarpenterslogoFIN.pngIKORCC2016-01-19 00:00:002019-06-23 04:31:53Carpenters donate over 100 toys to Toys for Tots
Louisiana Workforce Commission Focusing on Payroll Fraud
/0 Comments/in News /by IKORCCIn response to the News 8 series, the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) issued a press release on its anti-payroll fraud efforts related to unemployment contributions. The LWC is expecting a record year. So far in 2015, auditors have found 12,782 misclassified employees and $83 million in underreported wages, resulting in collecting an additional $923,000 in unemployment taxes. The numbers don’t show how much of that was in the construction industry. In 2010 they found fewer than 300 misclassified employees. The LWC efforts are aided by anti-fraud software.
Worker Comp Violations Expensive
/0 Comments/in News /by IKORCCContractors that break the law often do not have workers’ compensation coverage. So who pays when workers are injured? In Connecticut, the Second Injury Fund (SIF) pays the bills. In fiscal year 2015, the SIF paid $3.9 million. The SIF does seek recovery from non-compliant employers. Unfortunately, the SIF was only able to recover $775,000. Law-abiding employers, of course, pick up the tab for the rest through state assessments.
TV News 8 and Central South Council Expose Payroll Fraud
/0 Comments/in News /by IKORCCJason Engels, EST of the Central South Regional Council, was interviewed by News 8 investigative reporter Lee Zurick for a three part series on payroll fraud. The first broadcast introduced the problem and exposed that it costs Louisiana taxpayers $250 million annually. Part 2 delved into the law-breaking scheme used on numerous prevailing-rate projects by shady contractors and the lack of meaningful enforcement. The final broadcast showed how legislation with stiff penalties was blocked by a state senator who owns a construction company that subcontracted to a company that allegedly wrongly classified its workers. Rep. Smith (D) pledged on camera to re-introduce legislation with tougher penalties, and Rep. Broadwater (R) said he’d support a task force of state agencies and district attorneys.
When asked if a business saving hundreds of thousands of dollars would stop breaking the law if they only risked a $250 or $500 fine, Jason responded, “You wouldn’t. The penalties have to be increased through legislation on these contractors to get over this slap on the wrist…..Start putting some people in jail.”
Link to the series from PayrollFraud.net “Billion dollar blue print for a taxpayer rip-off.”
State Raids Construction Site of Luxury Honolulu Mall
/0 Comments/in News /by IKORCCThe Ala Moana Center was raided by state investigators over charges of contractors committing payroll fraud. Investigators from state tax, labor and business departments went to the luxury mall in response to complaints from the Hawaii Construction Alliance. The Alliance is a group of trade unions that includes the Hawaii Regional Council of Carpenters.
Information on alleged improper practices was gathered by undercover informants, including a video of workers being paid in cash. Watch a news report on this raid through the Top of the News section of PayrollFraud.net.
“Workers are being paid in cash by these contractors and subcontractors which begs the question: are they filing the proper paperwork with the state?” said Tyler Dos Santos, Alliance Executive Director.
Carpenters donate over 100 toys to Toys for Tots
/0 Comments/in News /by IKORCCThe Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys for children each year. Local businesses serve as collection sites where community members can drop off toys, and the collected toys are distributed to less fortunate children within the community so they can experience the joy of Christmas.
Working with Reggie Hess, Marine Corps League District 1 Vice Commandant, Local 1005 collected over 100 toys and gift cards. “We are so appreciative of the support from Local 1005. We had a very successful holiday season, and it could not have been done without their generosity,” commented Hess. “This past year, we provided over 2,400 Christmas presents to children in Porter County, and in some cases, we were able to give out up to five toys per child. It’s because of generous people like those in Local 1005 that we are able to bring happiness to kids and families on Christmas day.”
Throughout the year, IKORCC members volunteer in their local communities in countless ways, including collecting donations for local charities. “It’s all about giving back to the community and to those who may be going through a tough time,” commented Eric Yuhasz, Local 1005 Secretary and IKORCC Representative. “We have so many members who willingly volunteer time, talents and donations without hesitation. There really isn’t a better feeling than witnessing the joy and graciousness of the families receiving our volunteer services.”