Albany, NY – New York State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro recently announced the arrest of a capital region area drywall installer who allegedly failed to provide legally required workers’ compensation insurance to his employees.
Dennis R. Hammonds of Schenectady was arrested and arraigned in Schenectady City Court before Hon. Robert Hoffman on two counts of Effect of Failure to Secure Compensation (E felony).
New York State Workers’ Compensation Law requires all contractors to carry workers compensation insurance for their employees. Failing to carry insurance for more than five employees is a felony.
An investigation by the New York State Workers’ Compensation Fraud Inspector General found that between February 2017 and November 2018, Hammonds worked as a drywall sub-contractor for two general contractors while failing to have required insurance. One of the projects was installing drywall and ceiling work at the Via Port Mall in Rotterdam between May and September 2017.
“Workers’ compensation insurance is an essential and required part of legally doing business in New York State,” said Inspector General Tagliafierro. “Proper coverage protects the employee, the employer and the client in the event of an accident or injury. Neglecting to provide workers’ compensation insurance coverage to employees, as this individual allegedly did, is a crime.”
Inspector General Tagliafierro thanked the Schenectady County District Attorney for prosecuting the case and the City of Schenectady Police Department for conducting the arrest.
The defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
Source: NY Inspector General’s Office