![\"New](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/NY_AG_James_and_Laborers_79.jpg\")
\t<\/p>\n\t\t<\/p>\n
(NEW YORK CITY<\/strong>) – New York Attorney General Letitia James has\u00a0announced a $1.5 million settlement with Alba Services, Incorporated, its Owner Andrew Horan and a network of related New York City Construction and Demolition Companies\u00a0(collectively, Alba) for repeatedly violating State Workers\u2019 Compensation Laws, retaliating against injured Workers and failing to address sexual harassment in the workplace.<\/p>\n The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) launched an investigation in 2022 after a referral from Construction & General Building Laborers\u2019 Local 79<\/strong> that found hundreds of Employees – many of them Immigrant Workers, were denied fair treatment and pressured to keep quiet about unsafe conditions.<\/p>\n Under the terms of the settlement, Alba must pay $1.4 million in restitution to current and former Alba Employees and adopt sweeping reforms to comply with New York\u2019s Labor and Human Rights Laws.<\/p>\n In addition, Alba must pay $100,000 for a settlement administrator.<\/p>\n Following a review of more than 60,000 pages of documents and dozens of witness interviews, the OAG found that between 2016 and 2024, Alba failed to report hundreds of workplace injuries to the Workers\u2019 Compensation Board (WCB) as required by law and explicitly instructed Employees not to file eligible claims.<\/p>\n Of the injuries Alba was legally required to\u00a0report, OAG determined that the company reported less than half.<\/p>\n By keeping claims artificially low, Alba reduced its insurance costs and gained an unfair advantage over competitors.<\/p>\n Alba retaliated against Employees who sought to file claims through harassment, threats and financial incentives to stay silent.<\/p>\n On at least two occasions, the company posted flyers publicly naming Workers who had filed claims, accusing them of fraud and offering $5,000 for information leading to their arrests.<\/p>\n Andrew Horan would also send text messages to his foremen unlawfully exposing the Workers\u2019 names and offering cash rewards for information about them.<\/p>\n The OAG documented at least 60 instances in which Alba unlawfully disclosed Workers\u2019 names.<\/p>\n Laborers Local 79 Business Manager Anthony Vita<\/strong> said: \u201cAlba Services and their family of companies played the system for years while hard-working Demolition Workers struggled. This settlement isn\u2019t just about Alba it\u2019s about Non-Union Workers throughout the City who suffer under similar circumstances. This is an important step in leveling the playing field for responsible contractors. We appreciate Attorney General Letitia James’ commitment to justice for all Workers and thank her team for their hard work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n New York City AFL-CIO Central Labor Council President Brendan Griffith<\/strong> said: \u201cThis settlement makes one thing clear: No employer is above the law. Exploiting and retaliating against Workers will never be tolerated in New York. We commend Attorney General Letitia James for her fearless commitment to justice and thank our Brothers and Sisters at Local (79) for bringing these abuses to light. Nearly a thousand Workers were silenced and mistreated, and today they are seen, heard, and vindicated. Accountability like this reminds every employer that when you harm Workers, you answer to all of us.\u201d<\/p>\n New York State Building Trades President Gary LaBarbera<\/strong> said: \u201cToo often, unscrupulous contractors undermine the system and take advantage of vulnerable Workers who are simply trying to support their families and pursue the Middle Class. And many times, they face little to no consequences for these transgressions. But today represents an instance of accountability and justice for hundreds of Tradesmen and Tradeswomen harmed by Alba’s misconduct. We applaud Attorney General James for standing up for these Workers and setting a precedent that abusive business practices will not be tolerated. All hard-working New Yorkers deserve to pursue their careers in a dignified and safe environment that equips them to not only make ends meet but lead fulfilling lives.\u201d<\/p>\n For More, Go To: Attorney General James Delivers $1.4 Million to New York City Construction Workers Whose Rights Were Violated<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n