Albert Chwedczuk, a 45 year-old construction contractor, was given a three year sentencing in state prison for intentionally neglecting payment of wages on a $75,000+ government contract, including falsifying payroll records for the contract in order to mask his withholding huge amounts of wages for his own workers. He even withheld entire wages of his workers, paying them nothing. The workers will be restituted by Chwedczuk with a total payment of $155,166.
Story By Malik
According to the state investigation, the Toms River contractor accrued violations of the Prevailing Wage Act with his previous businesses, Ren Construction LLC and Real Construction LLC, back in 2014. Albert Chwedczuk attempted to evade this obstacle by creating Bella Group LLC, a new business entity where he acquired a $400,000 public subcontract for a masonry project in Camden. After receiving the contract, he proceeded to pay a mere fraction of the prevailing wages to most of his employees instead of being fully compensated, while some employees were never paid. As a cover up, he constructed and submitted falsified payrolls that were certified to the general contractor. Chwedczuk also told several employees to falsify information and lie to an NJLWD investigator regarding their wages.
It is also believed that Chwedczuk’s employees were mostly undocumented immigrants, ultimately using their status to his financial gain.
“I am committed to using all available tools, including New Jersey’s strong criminal laws, to protect our workers, protect our immigrants, and protect the integrity of our public contracts,” said Attorney General Grewal. “When contractors receive taxpayer dollars for a public project, they promise to pay prevailing wages to employees for all their hard work. But this employer cheated his workers and hoarded public funds for his own enrichment. This case is a message to all employers that we will not tolerate contractors underpaying their workers and lying about it.”
