A company and six of its executives were charged Wednesday in New York with allegedly operating a sham safety school that said it certified thousands of construction workers as properly trained when, in fact, it had not, prosecutors say.
Prosecutors said the alleged fraud cost at least one worker, Ivan Frias, his life in 2022 in a fall from the 15th floor of a job site on the Upper West Side.
According to the indictment, Valor Security and Investigations purported to have trained 20,000 construction workers between December 2019 and April 2023, claiming the workers were fully trained in “safety training, safety inspections, safety plans and security services” after 40 hours of instruction.
Instead, Valor allegedly issued “thousands and thousands of safety certificates and cards without providing any training at all,” according to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, charging between $300 and $600 for a bogus site safety training card.
“New York City construction workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the city,” Bragg said Wednesday. “Fraud has dire consequences. Fraud can mean life or death.”
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg speaks during a press conference, Feb. 8, 2024, in New York.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
Construction workers have been required by law to receive safety training since 2017.
Valor, its president, Alexander Shaporov, and five other employees are charged with enterprise corruption, according to the indictment. Nineteen alleged brokers, including two master plumbers, were charged with criminal possession of a forged instrument. The plumbers’ licenses have been suspended.
The defendants were all arrested Wednesday morning and are expected to appear in court later the same day. It was not immediately clear whether any had obtained lawyers.
Prosecutors said they obtained text messages and emails that quote Shaporov allegedly telling his employees on one occasion to “make one up” for 40 purported trainees who lacked the requisite safety cards.
Frias died in November 2022 when he fell from the 15th floor of a construction site on West End Avenue. According to the indictment, Valor allegedly falsely certified that Frias had completed 10 hours of safety training, including eight hours of fall protection.
“I think every New Yorker has a right to be a little disgusted,” New York City Buildings Commissioner Jimmy Oddo said Wednesday, adding the department would consider revoking Valor’s license to issue safety cards.
Oddo said any construction worker who received a card from Valor should seek retraining.
In recent months, allegations have surfaced regarding a safety school in New York City that is accused of providing bogus certifications to construction workers. The school, which has not been named publicly, is said to have been issuing certifications for safety training courses without actually providing the necessary instruction or ensuring that workers are adequately prepared to work safely on construction sites.
These allegations are particularly concerning given the high-risk nature of construction work and the importance of proper safety training to prevent accidents and injuries. Construction sites can be dangerous environments, with hazards such as falls, electrocution, and being struck by objects posing serious risks to workers. Proper safety training is essential to ensure that workers are aware of these risks and know how to protect themselves and their colleagues.
The allegations against the safety school suggest that some construction workers may have been working on sites without the necessary knowledge and skills to do so safely. This not only puts the workers themselves at risk but also endangers their colleagues and the general public. It is crucial that all construction workers receive proper safety training and certification to ensure that they are able to work safely and prevent accidents on the job.
The New York City Department of Buildings has launched an investigation into the allegations against the safety school and is working to determine the extent of the issue and identify any workers who may have received bogus certifications. The department has stated that it takes these allegations very seriously and is committed to ensuring that all construction workers in the city are properly trained and certified to work safely.
Construction industry professionals have also expressed concern about the allegations, emphasizing the importance of proper safety training in preventing accidents and injuries on construction sites. They have called for increased oversight and regulation of safety schools to ensure that they are providing legitimate training and certifications to workers.
In response to the allegations, construction companies in New York City are being urged to verify the certifications of their workers and ensure that they have received proper safety training from reputable sources. Workers who suspect that they may have received a bogus certification are encouraged to report their concerns to the Department of Buildings or other relevant authorities.
Overall, the allegations of a safety school providing bogus certifications to construction workers in New York City highlight the importance of ensuring that all workers receive proper safety training and certification. Construction is a high-risk industry, and it is essential that workers are adequately prepared to work safely and prevent accidents on the job. Authorities, industry professionals, and workers themselves must work together to address these allegations and ensure that all construction workers in the city are able to work safely and effectively.
