New York

Published on: June 29, 2020

New York Insurance Broker Accused of Defrauding $1 Million from Insurers and Investors

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York has announced charges against Brian Bartz of Rochester, NY, on allegations of fraud and identity theft. Bartz, 38, was charged with aggravated identity theft, attempted wire fraud, and wire fraud. Attorney information wasn’t available.

Bartz is accused of submitting false life insurance policies on behalf of hundreds of individuals without their knowledge or consent when he worked at the Benjamin Hollamby Agency. He allegedly ran the scheme in order to collect commissions and bonuses for the sale of those policies. To avoid detection, he used various victims’ bank accounts to pay for the policy premiums, the complaint states.

Published on: March 12, 2020

Eight People, Nine Businesses in Long Island, NY, Charged with Payroll, Workers’ Comp Fraud

by Brian Silber

The Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced that eight individuals and nine businesses have been charged in a labor-related crackdown.

The alleged crimes collectively stole more than $250,000 in workers’ wages and benefits. They include the nonpayment of more than $58,000 for unemployment insurance fund contributions and failure to pay more than $133,000 to the state’s fund for workers’ compensation, prosecutors said. Two of the defendants also allegedly dumped polluted water into a public storm water drain.

Published on: February 14, 2020

Two Contractors in Saratoga Springs, NY, Arraigned for Failure to Obtain Workers’ Comp Insurance

by Brian Silber

The New York State Inspector General announced the arraignments of two construction contractors for allegedly putting their workers at risk by not providing them with workers’ compensation insurance coverage.

Segundo Loja and Robert A. Lutz were arraigned in Saratoga Springs City Court on February 6. According to court documents, Loja, who is the owner of NY Power Construction Corporation, allegedly submitted a fake certificate of insurance that showed his company had obtained both workers’ compensation and commercial general liability insurance coverage as required by law for any company with employees.

Published on: October 3, 2019

JFK Airport Contractor Eulen America Fires Pregnant Hacheler Cyrille Following Workplace Injury

by Brian Silber

An expectant mother working for airport contractor Eulen America has filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) after she was injured on the job and her bosses allegedly fired her for it.

According to the complaint, Hacheler Cyrille, 31, of Brooklyn, NY, fell onto a moving conveyor belt at Terminal 8 of JFK airport on May 8. Cyrille was trying trying to dislodge a piece of luggage that got stuck and lost her balance. She was 17 weeks pregnant at the time.

Published on: April 23, 2019

Construction Business Owners Arrested for Workers’ Compensation Fraud

by Brian Silber

Two business owners in upstate New York were arrested last week for their part in an alleged workers’ compensation fraud scheme.

Jose Sanchez, age 50, resident of state capital Albany, is owner of Sanchez Partner Construction, and Leroy Nelson Jr., age 38, also of Albany, is owner of JRN Construction. Sanchez and Nelson have each been charged with the felony count “first-degree offering a false instrument for filing.” Sanchez has also been charged with the misdemeanor count “failure to secure workers’ compensation.”
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