California Construction News staff writer
Sacramento County District Attorney Ho has filed wage theft felony criminal charges against Rocklin-based construction company PRO FRAME INC., the first-ever felony wage theft case to be pursued by the DA’s office, stemming from an investigation by its newly established “Workers Protection Unit.”
The case highlights ongoing concerns about wage theft in California, where recent investigations and fines have targeted businesses accused of exploiting workers.
“Unfortunately, we have some employers who refuse to follow labour laws in California,” Ho said at a news conference. “If you steal from a worker’s wage, you are stealing their rent, their groceries and their dignity.
“But today is a new day in Sacramento, because today those individuals will be held accountable to the full extent of the law.”
PRO FRAME INC., a subcontractor for an affordable housing project at 39th and Broadway in Sacramento, is accused of underpaying its workers by “upwards of 50 percent,” Ho said. The investigation showed that 15 people had been hired by the company, including many undocumented and migrant workers.
“They would have the workers work eight hours a day … and only pay them for four hours,” Ho said, accusing the company of “robbing and stealing taking upwards of $50,000 from the most vulnerable among us”.
The case was brought to Ho several months ago by the NorCal Carpenters Union and executive officer Jay Bradshaw spoke at the news conference to support Ho.
“Make no mistake … we will be shoulder-to-shoulder with you and I believe you will set the example for district attorneys across this state and with all of us we bring our great state back to where it was … with all workers respected,” Bradshaw said.
The arraignment of the company is expected to happen in early June.
“If you can be prosecuted for stealing from a store, you should be prosecuted for stealing from a worker,” he added.
Also, the DA’s office is creating a workers’ protection unit to investigate labor violations, supported by unions pushing for increased state funding for special investigators, particularly in cases involving public funds.
