Easton Construction Boss Cheated Workers Out of Pay: AG

EASTON, MA — An Easton construction company owner was recently cited for cheating workers out of pay.

James Shalek, owner of West Bridgewater-based I.W. Harding, was ordered to pay $54,000 in restitution and penalties.

Shalek failed to pay his workers proper wages and overtime and failed to file accurate payroll records, according to Attorney General Maura Healey.

“Companies can’t cheat their employees out of their proper wages in order to gain an unfair advantage over their competitors,” Healey said in a statement. “Prevailing wage laws are in place to ensure there is a level playing field for those who work on our public projects.”

Healey said Shalek's company was cited for wage infractions in 11 public works projects:

• City of Newton infrastructure improvement—Hammond Pond Parkway
• Town of Milford roadway improvements
• City of Fall River transmission system improvements at Watuppa Pond
• Town of Norwood Taxiway C Reconstruction
• Natick MBTA Station Drainage Project
• Town of Easton roadway improvements
• Town of Westport East Beach Road improvements
• Mass Convention Center Authority – BCEC D Street Parcel Landscape Improvements
• Town of Wareham – Village Streetscape Project
• Town of Weston – Case Campus Master Plan
• Town of Norwell – Stetson Meadows Cemetery

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Photo: Bill Jacobus via Flickr