Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that the office has returned $28,000 in stolen wages to 30 former employees of a cleaning company owner who was convicted earlier this year of failing to pay workers. Christian Perez, who owned cleaning companies that he ran with his wife, Ines Perez Miranda, was ordered to pay restitution when he was sentenced to five years of probation in April. Perez and his wife are also banned from incorporating new companies in New York for five years.<\/p>\n
District Attorney Katz said: \u201cWhen someone steals a person\u2019s paycheck, they are also stealing their dignity. Thanks to an investigation by my Housing, Worker, and Consumer Protection Bureau we were able to put a stop to the exploitation perpetrated by these defendants and get restitution for their victims. I thank our partners at the New York State Department of Labor and the Worker\u2019s Justice Project for their assistance in this case. If you have been a victim of wage theft, please contact my office at 718-286-6673.\u201d<\/p>\n
New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said: \u201cI applaud the Queens County District Attorney\u2019s Office and Worker\u2019s Justice Project for fighting to ensure these workers receive the money they are owed. Harm to one is harm to us all, and our agency will continue to partner with law enforcement and worker advocacy groups to investigate employers who attempt to cheat their employees out of the pay they have rightfully earned.\u201d<\/p>\n
Alejo Grajales, Worker\u2019s Rights Organizer and Case Manager, Worker\u2019s Justice Project, said: \u201cThis victory was achieved because of the courage and collective organizing of the workers in this case, who came together to fight for their rights. Worker\u2019s Justice Project is deeply grateful for the partnership and support of the Queens District Attorney\u2019s Office and the New York State Department of Labor. This shows how the collective power of workers, in collaboration with local government, can ensure that justice is served. For many of these workers, this was never only about money. It was about dignity, respect, and the emotional and financial harm caused when people work hard and are denied the wages they rightfully earned. This case also sends a strong message: wage theft has consequences, and workers are not alone. We hope this outcome serves as an important precedent that encourages more workers to speak up \u2013 and a reminder to employers that labor exploitation will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n