Press Release  Brockton Drywall Company Cited More Than $20,000 for Failing to Pay Workers

Boston — A Brockton drywall company and its owner have been cited for failing to pay their employees, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today. 

M & G Drywall Corp. and owner Miguel Guzman, of Brockton, were cited $22,875 in restitution and penalties for failing to pay wages in a timely manner to nine employees and failure to furnish records.

“We know that wage theft is a real issue here in Massachusetts, especially in the construction industry where workers are particularly susceptible to abuse,” said AG Healey. “We take complaints of wage theft very seriously and will continue to go after businesses and owners that cheat their workers out of their hard-earned wages.”

The AG’s Office began an investigation in M & G Drywall after the matter was referred to the AG’s Fair Labor Division by the New England Regional Council of Carpenters, who received multiple complaints from former employees.

The investigation revealed that for a two-week period in May, Guzman failed to pay nine workers any wages for their work on several construction jobs. Each employee is owed $1,875. Guzman also failed to provide any records for inspection to the AG’s Office.  

The AG’s Office has prioritized addressing wage theft in the construction industry. Since the beginning of 2016, the AG’s Fair Labor Division has issued 120 citations against 61 employers in the construction industry, for a total of more than $1 million in restitution and penalties.

AG Healey is committed to protecting the economic security of Massachusetts residents, particularly vulnerable workers. AG Healey’s Fair Labor Division is responsible for enforcing the laws regulating the payment of wages, including prevailing wage, minimum wage and overtime laws.

Workers who believe that their rights have been violated in their workplace are encouraged to call the Office’s Fair Labor Hotline at (617) 727-3465. More information about the state’s wage and hour laws is also available in multiple languages at the Attorney General’s new Workplace Rights website www.mass.gov/ago/fairlabor.

This matter is being handled by Assistant Attorney General Amy Goyer and was investigated by Investigator Soledad Aylward, both of Attorney General Healey’s Fair Labor Division.

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